In this document, written in 1787, James Madison describes what he sees as the "vices" of the newly formed United States government under the first Constitution, the Articles of Confederation.

This map shows the territorial extent of the United States in 1787, the year of the Constitutional Convention.  It also shows the boundaries of the Northwest Territory, established by the Northwest Ordinance in 1787, under the Articles of Confederation.

This site shows an original copy of the Northwest Ordinance, passed under the Articles of Confederation in 1787, and provides an easy text version to read.

In 1786, a convention was called to meet in Annapolis to discuss the problems facing the new nation under the Articles of Confederation.  Unfortunately, few states sent delegates, so little could be accomplished.  This document describes conclusions the delegates made.

The Virginia was drafted by James Madison, but presented to the Constitutional Convention by Edmund Randolph.  It was a plan to change the system of representation to Congress from an equal number for each state to a number proportional to the states' population.

As the president of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington wrote this letter as an introduction to the newly proposed plan of government.

Following the signing of the Constitution, the debate over its adoption began.  Federalists, such as Alexander Hamilton (the author of this article), wrote essays for newspapers, describing the necessity of the new plan, collectively known as the Federalist Papers.

Are you having difficulty "translating" the words of the Founders?  This site will explain what it all means!  Click on "Guide to the Constitution"