The American Revolution also saw the creation of the Continental Congress, which served as the governing body of the new country during the war.
9 The Continental Congress was first convened in 1774, in response to the increasing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain, and was responsible for coordinating the colonial response to British policies.
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress played a crucial role in directing military strategy and providing financial and logistical support to the American army. It also served as the primary governing body of the United States during this period, overseeing the creation of a national army and navy, and drafting the Declaration of Independence.
After the war, the Continental Congress was replaced by the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States. However, the Articles proved to be ineffective, and in 1787, a new constitution was drafted and ratified, which established a stronger federal government and provided for a system of checks and balances among the different branches of government.
The American Revolution led to the drafting and adoption of the United States Constitution, which established the framework for the new government.
10 The Constitution was drafted in 1787 and ratified the following year, and it remains the supreme law of the land to this day.
The Constitution established a federal system of government, in which power is divided between the federal government and the individual states. It also created a system of checks and balances among the different branches of government, with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches each having its own distinct powers and responsibilities.
The Constitution was a significant departure from the Articles of Confederation, which had been in effect during the Revolutionary War. The Articles had created a weak central government, with most of the power residing in the individual states. The new Constitution sought to address these weaknesses, while also preserving the principles of democracy and individual rights that had been at the heart of the American Revolution.
The Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption, most notably with the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments and guarantees important individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
