Lafayette, a young French nobleman, gave valuable aid in this campaign. The French fleet now arrived, preventing the escape of the British by sea. Washington, strengthened by French troops, marched rapidly to the scene, preventing the escape of the British by land. THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN, OCTOBER 19, 1781 From the painting by Trumbull, in the Capitol at Washington The English were trapped. It was useless to fight longer. They laid down their arms October 19, 1781. English rule in the United States was forever at an end. In 1783, a treaty of peace was signed at Paris, France. The independence of the United States was acknowledged, and she became a free nation. The new nation was to extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from Canada to Florida. Florida was transferred to Spain. Questions and Topics for Discussion What did the colonies have to do after declaring their independence of England? What did the British now attack? What did they succeed in doing? Describe Washington's retreat. Tell about the battle at Trenton. What effect did this victory have on the Americans? From whom did Washington obtain money to help pay the soldiers? Describe Washington's victory at Princeton. Tell about the winter at Valley Forge. What foreigner aided in training the Americans at this time? What effect did this defeat of the British have on their other plans? What did the king of France promise Benjamin Franklin? What did France acknowledge? What effect did this have upon the British? What did they do? Describe the British campaign in the South. Tell how the British were trapped. When did the war end? When and where was the treaty of peace signed? What did the United States become? What were the boundaries of the new nation? LESSON XV THE CONSTITUTION During the Revolution the colonists felt the need of a strong general government. The Articles of Confederation were adopted by Congress in 1777 to meet this need. But this form of government had many weak points. There was no chief executive. Laws were made, but they could not be enforced. Taxes could not be raised to pay the expense of government. There was no Supreme Court. Many matters were under the control of Congress, but no power was given Congress to enforce its rights. Although the Articles were imperfect, they did, however, serve a very good purpose. The states became accustomed to the idea of a na tional government. And their very weaknesses showed the need for "a more perfect union." An attempt to strengthen and improve the Articles was made in 1787. A convention for this purpose met on May 14, at the state house in Philadelphia. George Washington was elected president of the convention. INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA Several plans of government were proposed. At times it seemed that the attempt to form a new government would end in failure. But the wisdom of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and other noted Americans helped to smooth out the troublesome questions. And the United States Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787. It went into effect April 30, 1789. The new Constitution set forth plainly the rights of the people, the states, and the nation. It provided for a chief executive. It arranged for two houses in Congress. It provided for a Supreme Court, and such other courts as Congress might establish. Each state was given the right to make such laws as affected its own affairs. These laws, however, must agree with the Constitution. The Constitution provided for amendment, and in many ways proved the wisdom of its makers. We are living under the same Constitution1 to-day. It has been amended from time to time as the needs of the country required. We honor the Constitution as we do our country's flag. It is the supreme law of the land. It has helped to make the United States the greatest republic in the world. Questions and Topics for Discussion What special need was there for a strong government after the Revolutionary War? How was this government brought about? When was the Constitution adopted? When did it go into effect? What did it set forth? What did it provide for? Is this same Constitution still in effect? How has it been amended? What is the Nineteenth Amendment? 1 What is the Eighteenth Amendment? 1 What is the Constitution? How do we honor the Constitution? How has the Constitution served the American people? 1 For the Constitution, see pages 429–444. |