The Declaration of Independence

In May 1775 the second continental congress met in Philadelphia and began to assume the function of a national government. It founded a continental army and navy under the command of George Washington, printed paper money and opened diplomatic contacts with other countries. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence which Congress adopted on July 4th 1776.

At first the war went badly for the Americans. The British captured New York and Philadelphia. The first victory of the Americans was in 1777 when the British army surrendered at Saratoga. France decided to help Americans to defeat Britain. Britain finally recognized the Independence of the USA by signing the Treaty of Paris in September of 1783.

The United States were joined together under one government by the Articles of Confederation. But there were many times when States did not cooperate with the central government. That is why in May 1787 the Constitution Convention was opened in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. But the delegates decided to draft a new constitution. According to it the central government would exercise authority (осуществлять правление) directly over all the citizens of the nation. In such a government the power is divided between the national and the state governments.

The national government would:

- Collect taxes

- Borrow money

- Print or coin money

- Control trade

- Declare war.

All other powers were left to the states.

To protect people’s rights the government’s power was divided into Branches:

- Legislative

- Executive

- Judicial.

The constitution was adopted in 1788. The Bill of Rights was added to the constitution in 1791.