-The Big Picture-

-After the Declaration of Independence was signed, the colonists didn't think of themselves as colonies.

-Each colony was now a state.

-Each state had to make a decision about what government to have.

-It would have a convention(formal meeting held for a special purpose) to make these decisions.

-The thirteen colonies decided to unite(join together) and become the United States of America.

-Each state wanted to be independent, like its own country. But, they needed to join together to defend themselves in case they were attacked.

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