The Constitution
Creating the Republic. The Constitution written in summer of 1787 emerged from the debate about the weak Articles of Confederation and created the legislative, executive, […]
Foundational Document
Articles of Confederation
The Initial Plan. The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government created during the American Revolution in 1777 and was the first form […]
Excerpt of the Declaration
Interpreting a Foundational Document. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and four other statesmen at the Continental Congress and signed on July […]
Drafting the Declaration
A clip from HBO’s John Adams. Thomas Jefferson is generally thought to be the author of the Declaration of Independence, but a committee of five […]