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John Dickinson
John Dickinson drafted a plan to create a new American government. He hoped America would get peace with Great Britain. -
Article of Confederation
This was America's first national constitution. It created an association of Independence for states with the same goal. -
New Government
The Article of Confederation went into effect in March. America still had a weak government, and they only had one branch. -
Robert Morris
He worked hard during the war to save up money for the army. He suggested having Congress place a 5% tax on imports, but it failed. -
Thomas Jefferson
Proposed they divide the Northwest Territory into 10 districts. This plan would've helped spread America out, but it never fully went into effect. -
Land Ordinance
Congress drew up a plan to divide the area. 36 townships were inside each only 1 mile square. -
James Madison
Joined with George Washington to discuss the alleged overthrowing of the government. They needed to change the articles, in order to make all colonists happy. -
Balancing Powers
Delegates read over the Constitution and picked it apart making changes for over a month. They questioned how to balance the powers and which powers should have more than another. -
Final Decisions
The Constitutional Convention adjourned the Constitution. 39 delegates from 12 states signed it. -
Federalists Vs. Antifederalists
After the newly written Constitution was published not all colonists agreed with what it said. People were split up if they agreed with it called Federalists, and if not called Antifederalists. -
Alexander Hamilton
He was a federalist and had many strong points created during the writing on the new Constitution. He was backed up by George Washington and James Madison. -
Publius
New Yorkers found a series of essays under this pen pal name. The essays were combined and published under The Federalist. -
Deleware
Became the first state to ratify the constitution. They did this with a Yes vote. -
Ratifying
More and more states began to ratify this Constitution as time went on. New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut had just ratified it. -
John Jay
He helped James Madison and Alexander Hamilton write these essays. They remained a secret until 1802
