pointed former British Soldier and American hero, George Washington commander-in-chief, authorized the creation of paper money, and assumed other privileges of executive authority over the colonies (Encarta: American Revolution, 1999). Congress also appealed to the British government for a peaceful solution of the crisis, but in August, George III responded with a proclamation exhorting his “loyal subjects to suppress rebellion and sedition,” in North America (American Revolution: First Phase, 1998). Meanwhile, American troops had inflicted severe casualties on a large force of British soldiers in Massachusetts (American History [Vol. 1] pg. 161). Sentiment for a complete break with Great Britain and for national independence did not begin to emerge in the colonies until after the events at Bunker Hill. More than a year later, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared independence, and two days afterward adopted a formal statement of principle written by Thomas Jefferson justifying that action (Encarta: American Revolution, 1999).By winning the War of Independence, the United States emerged successfully from its first severe test as a nation. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, ending the war with Great Britain, the nation was confronted with new problems; most of which was devising a form of government that would bind the thirteen states into a strong and efficient union (Grolier: Articles of Confederation, 1993).From 1776 to 1781 the states had been governed by the Continental Congress, which assumed certain executive powers, such as raising an army, borrowing money from foreign countries, and concluding treaties with Great Britain (Grolier: Articles of Confederation, 1993). These powers in effect made the Congress a replacement for the king. They were relieved shortly after independence, in an agreement known as the Articles of Confederation which was the first constitution of America (...
