Four great state papers of the United States:

The Continental Association, The United States Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation and The United States Constitution.

The Continental Association. Created by the first ¹Continental Congress in 1774. For the purpose of

implementing a trade boycott with Great Britain.

The boycott began on December 1, 1774.

The United States Declaration of Independence. Adopted by the ²Second Continental Congress on

July 4, 1776. The Declaration explained why the Thirteen Colonies are at war with Great Britain and

regarded themselves as sovereign states.

The Articles of Confederation. An agreement among the thirteen original states serving as the first constitution preserving the independence and sovereignty of the states. In force on March 1, 1781.

The United States Constitution*. The supreme law of the United States originally comprised of seven articles. Signed September 17, 1787. Most importantly the doctrine of the separation of powers and divides the federal government into three branches... Legislative, Executive and Judicial. Also described (articles four, five and six) the concept of federalism and responsibilities of state governments.

*The Bill of Rights (first ten amendments of the Constitution). December 15, 1791

Back