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Articles of Confederation
The first written constitution of the US that allowed states to remain independent and act as independent countries. -
American Revolution
America had won the war and that meant that they won their independence from Great Britain! -
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander was a lawyer and politician from New York. After the American Revolution he had realized that America needed a stronger central government. He then called for a constitutional convention to discuss what was happening with their current situation. -
Final Text
The convention’s five-member Committee of Style, which included Hamilton, Madison, William Samuel Johnson, Gouverneur Morris, Rufus King, had drafted the final text of the Constitution. The Constitution consisted of about 4,200 words and the first to sign it was George Washington. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House. There were 55 delegates in attendance, that represented all 13 states except Rhode Island who was not in attendance. -
Ratifying the Constitution
5 states that included Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut all ratified the Constitution in quick succession. Other states opposed the document due to it not protecting basic political rights. -
The Beginning
It was agreed that the government under the U.S. Constitution would begin on this date. -
America's 1st President
George Washington was inaugurated as America’s first president. In June of that same year, Virginia ratified the Constitution, and New York soon followed in July. -
Full Effect
The U.S. Supreme Court held its first session. This marked the first day the government was fully operative. -
Last but not Least...
After Rhode Island, refused to go to the Constitutional Convention in fear of losing their economic business to the newly formed central government, was the last of the original 13 states to ratify the Constitution.