From Revolution to Independence
When King George III refused to meet colonial demands and sent more British soldiers (the Redcoats) to enforce his laws, colonists called the Second Continental Congress. Though not all delegates favored independence, the majority did, and Thomas Jefferson was tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration wasn't creating a single country but declaring 13 separate states, each with its own government. Its ideas came from English philosopher John Locke, who argued that people have natural, God-given rights that no government can take away. The document made a bold claim—people have the right to revolt when their government denies them their legitimate rights!
After independence, the states created the Articles of Confederation—an agreement for cooperation among states, not a formal country. This system quickly showed serious flaws: laws couldn't be enforced, there was no court system, no way to collect taxes, and it was nearly impossible to make changes since it required unanimous approval.
Power tip: Understanding the failures of the Articles of Confederation helps explain why the Constitution includes such specific checks and balances on government power!