Historical Research Library

Discover the people, events, and key documents that shaped the Founding Era.

Singers and dancers focused on Chris Jackson playing George Washington

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The Stamp Act, published in London, 1765 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

The Stamp Act, 1765

A tax on printed materials imposed by Britain on American colonies—sparking widespread protest and contributing to revolutionary sentiments

Key Document

“To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth,” by Phillis Wheatley, in Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, London, 1773 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Phillis Wheatley’s Poem on Tyranny and Slavery, 1772

An eloquent condemnation of oppression and slavery, written for the British secretary of state for the colonies, showcasing Wheatley’s literary talent, and advocacy for freedom

Key Document

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, 1775 (Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress)

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms, 1775

An address listing the colonists’ grievances and asserting the right to self-defense

Key Document

The Olive Branch Petition, July 8, 1775 (The New York Public Library, Manuscripts and Archives Division)

Olive Branch Petition, 1775

The Continental Congress’s last major attempt to avoid war with Great Britain

Key Document

Patrick Henry addressing the Virginia Assembly, by Henry Bryan Hall (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Patrick Henry’s Speech to Second Virginia Convention, 1775

An impassioned call to arms, advocating for colonial resistance against British oppression, and famously declaring, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Key Document

The Farmer Refuted: or, A More Impartial and Comprehensive View of the Dispute between Great-Britain and the Colonies</em> (James Rivington: New York, 1775) (Courtesy New-York Historical Society)

The Farmer Refuted, 1775

A defense of American colonial rights against British tyranny secretly written by Alexander Hamilton—fueling revolutionary sentiment

Key Document

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, 1776 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Common Sense, 1776

Influential pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating American independence from British rule and inspiring revolutionary sentiment

Key Document

Declaration of Independence, Charleston, South Carolina, printed August 2, 1776 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Declaration of Independence, 1776

The founding document that asserted colonial autonomy, enumerated grievances, and set forth the ideals of a new nation

Key Document

The Articles of Confederation, 1777. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Articles of Confederation Ratified, 1781

The first attempt at establishing the relationship—a “firm league of friendship”—between the thirteen colonies

Key Document

Sample of James Madison's handwriting from a letter from James Madison to Major Dana (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

James Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments, 1785

An argument against state-sponsored religion, defending religious freedom and the separation of church and state

Key Document

A North West View of the State House in Philadelphia taken 1778, from C.W. Peale (Library of Congress)

Antifederalist No. 1, 1787

An early critique of the proposed Constitution, arguing the dangers of a centralized government and advocating state sovereignty

Key Document

The Looking Glass for 1787, Amos Doolittle, 1787, Library of Congress.

Antifederalist No. 9, 1787

A critique of the proposed Constitution, expressing concerns over centralized power and the potential threat of an elite ruling class

Key Document