What was a significant event for this battle? the battles of trenton and princeton the battle signaled the end of the revolutionary war. colonists cut down trees to slow burgoyne's progress to saratoga where he lost his entire army. washington was defeated twice by a large british army. even though it was the capital city, it did not mean the end of the war. it provided the british with comfortable quarters. washington surprised the hessians on christmas eve while they were celebrating.

in february 1787, congress decided that a convention should be convened to revise the articles of confederation, the nation’s first constitution. in may, 55 delegates came to philadelphia, and the constitutional convention began. debates erupted over representation in congress, over slavery, and over the new executive branch. the debates continued through four hot and muggy months. but eventually the delegates reached compromises, and on september 17, they produced the u.s. constitution, replacing the articles with the governing document that has functioned effectively for more than 200 years.