Timeline
Founding Era: 1783-1789
A timeline of the debates, crises, and compromises that produced the Constitution and the early republic.
31 events spanning 1783-1789
Constitutional Convention convenes
Constitutional Convention convenes in Philadelphia
View event pageGreat Compromise creates bicameral Congress
Great Compromise creates bicameral Congress
View event pageThree-Fifths Compromise on representation
Three-Fifths Compromise on representation
View event pageNew Hampshire ratifies (9th state)
New Hampshire ratifies (9th state); Constitution in effect
View event pageNorth Carolina and Rhode Island hold out initially
North Carolina and Rhode Island hold out initially
View event pageGeorge Washington inaugurated first president
George Washington inaugurated first President
View event pageBattles of Bennington, Brandywine, Germantown
Battles of Bennington, Brandywine, Germantown (1777)
View event pageCapture of Vincennes
Capture of Vincennes (1779), Penobscot Expedition failure (1779)
View event pageCurrency Act
Currency Act (1764), Writs of Assistance case (1761), Paxton Boys (1763)
View event pageDiplomatic efforts: Franklin in France, Adams in Netherlands
Diplomatic efforts: Franklin in France, Adams in Netherlands
View event pageEarly government setup: Judiciary Act
Early government setup: Judiciary Act (1789), Bill of Rights proposed (1789), Hamilton's financial plan beginnings
View event pageEarly slave codes, Bacon's Rebellion aftermath, Leisler's Rebellion
Early slave codes, Bacon's Rebellion aftermath, Leisler's Rebellion (1689)
View event pageEconomic issues: Inflation, depreciation of Continental currency
Economic issues: Inflation, depreciation of Continental currency
View event pageGaspee Affair
Gaspee Affair (1772), Virginia Resolves (1765), non-importation agreements
View event pageRatification struggles: Anti-Federalist opposition, state conventions
Ratification struggles: Anti-Federalist opposition, state conventions
View event pageSouthern campaigns: Guilford Courthouse
Southern campaigns: Guilford Courthouse (1781), Eutaw Springs (1781)
View event pageVarious colonial charters and founding of colonies
Various colonial charters and founding of colonies (e.g., Maryland 1634, Pennsylvania 1681, Georgia 1732)
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