Final answer:
Early American history saw escalating conflicts with Britain over rights and governance, leading to the Declaration of Independence. The subsequent Articles of Confederation established a national government but vested most powers within the states, revealing the need for a stronger central government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path to American independence was marked by escalating conflicts between the colonial settlers and the British Crown. These conflicts were rooted in a growing belief among colonists that their rights as Englishmen were being trampled, evident in actions such as the Proclamation of 1763, unfair trials, and imposition of taxes without consent. The sequence of these events led to a profound dissatisfaction with British rule and fueled the desire for self-governance.
In 1776, leaders like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, with Continental Congress's support, articulated the justification for liberty and self-governance in the Declaration of Independence. This document not only aired a litany of grievances against King George III but also posited the establishment of a government based on the consent of the governed, marking a definitive split from British authority.
After declaring independence, the need for a unified national framework was evident, leading to the formation of the Articles of Confederation. Revolutionary leaders, wary of a central authority’s potential for tyranny, aimed to strike a balance by creating a government which reserved extensive powers for the states, while allowing the national government limited functions such as declaring war and conducting foreign affairs. However, this structure proved problematic, leading to crises due to its inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce effectively. These issues made it clear that a more robust national framework was necessary for the young nation's survival, setting the stage for the later development of the U.S. Constitution.