Eleanor Finch
During the Revolutionary War, the 2nd Continental Congress became a quasi-government and adopted the Articles of Confederation, creating a loose confederation between the new states and a weak central government. This was America's first constitution, and it gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no power to enforce these rules, regulate commerce, or print money. After the war, the states embarked on various reforms, including establishing state universities and enshrining freedom of religion in their constitutions. In 1787, delegates from twelve states assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, and in 1788, a new constitution was ratified, establishing a new, more effective federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Start Date | April 1775 |
| End Date | 1783 |
| First Constitution | Articles of Confederation |
| First Constitution Powers | Could make rules and request funds from states |
| First Constitution Limitations | No enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, print money, or prevent states from pursuing independent policies |
| Second Constitution | United States Constitution |
| Second Constitution Powers | Established a powerful central government |
| Second Constitution Ratification | Ratified in 1788 |
| Second Constitution Federal Government | Began meeting in 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
The Articles of Confederation
During the Revolutionary War, the 2nd Continental Congress became a quasi-government. In 1775, the New York provincial Congress sent a plan of union to the Continental Congress, which recognised the authority of the British Crown. The Congress also informally discussed plans for a more permanent union. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, drew up a plan for "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union".
By 1787, it was apparent that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised. On May 25, 1787, delegates from twelve states assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. Alexander Hamilton helped convince Congress to organize a Grand Convention of state delegates to work on revising the Articles. The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May of 1787.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the new Constitution, with George Read signing for the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The Constitution was ratified in 1788.
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The Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from September 5 to October 26, 1774. Delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies that would ultimately join in the Revolutionary War participated. The delegates were elected by the people of the respective colonies, the colonial legislature, or by the Committee of Correspondence of a colony. The First Continental Congress agreed on a Declaration and Resolves that included the Continental Association, a proposal for an embargo on British trade. They also drew up a petition to King George III pleading for redress of their grievances and repeal of the Intolerable Acts.
The Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775, shortly after the start of the Revolutionary War. Initially, it functioned as a de facto common government by raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and making formal treaties. The Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Army and dispatched George Washington to Massachusetts as its commander. It also drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which attempted to resolve disputes between the colonies and Great Britain. The Second Continental Congress served as the provisional government of the U.S. during most of the Revolutionary War.
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The Albany Plan
The proposed powers of the unified government included treaty-making, raising army and naval forces, and taxation. The plan aimed to establish a division between the executive and legislative branches of government, while also establishing a common authority to deal with external relations. It conceived of the mainland North American colonies as a collective unit, separate not only from Britain but also from other British colonies in the West Indies and elsewhere.
Despite its support among many colonial leaders, the Albany Plan ultimately failed to become a reality. Colonial governments feared that it would curb their authority and territorial rights, and either rejected the plan or chose not to act on it. The British government also had concerns, believing that the plan gave too much power to the colonies while not fully addressing their own interests. As a result, the Albany Plan was rejected, and the colonies continued to operate independently under the loose framework of the Articles of Confederation until the creation of the United States Constitution in 1787.
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The Constitutional Convention
The Articles of Confederation had established the Confederation Congress, which could make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. This led to disputes among the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening the unity of the young nation. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington were key proponents of a stronger central government and played a significant role in convening the Constitutional Convention.
The convention was attended by 55 delegates, representing the 13 states, who gathered in the Pennsylvania State House, later known as Independence Hall. The delegates included prominent figures such as George Washington, who was unanimously elected as the president of the convention, and Robert Morris of Pennsylvania, known as the "financier" of the Revolution. The convention's debates and discussions focused on creating a new model of government that addressed the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.
The delegates crafted a constitution that established a federal government with more specific powers. They divided federal authority among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, creating a system of checks and balances. The constitution also addressed issues arising from the Revolutionary War, such as the payment of debts, and included "declarations of rights," guaranteeing freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with an additional signature by George Reed on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures. The Constitution established a powerful central government, bypassing state legislatures and calling for special ratifying conventions in each state. Ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacted the new government, and the Constitution came into effect in 1789, serving as the foundation of the United States government ever since.
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The US Constitution
During the Revolutionary War, the 2nd Continental Congress became a quasi-government. They adopted the Articles of Confederation, which established a loose confederation of states with a weak central government. This was America's first constitution, but it had no enforcement powers, and it couldn't regulate commerce or print money.
After the war, the United States faced several challenges, many stemming from a lack of effective central government and a unified political culture. States disputed territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening to tear the country apart. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared the country was on the brink of collapse, so they convinced Congress to revise the Articles of Confederation.
In May 1787, delegates from twelve states assembled in Philadelphia. They were tasked with revising the existing government, but they ended up creating a completely new one. The delegates were wary of centralised power, so they created a powerful central government. They crafted compromises to represent the wildly different interests and views. The Constitution was signed by 38 delegates (39 signatures, as George Reed signed for John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent).
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