Discovering Our Past: The American Journey to World War IChapter 3: A More Perfect UnionChapter OverviewAfter winning their independence from Great Britain, many of the thirteen colonies adopted new constitutions. The colonists also realized that some kind of central government was needed. Adopted in 1777, the Articles of Confederation was the first government of the United States.By 1787 the weaknesses of the government under the Articles had become clear. A convention was held in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. While originally planned merely to revise the Articles of Confederation, the convention eventually adopted an entirely new plan: the Constitution. Delegates worked to settle differences over representation and slavery. Incorporating ideas from English law, the Enlightenment, and their own experiences, they designed a federal system that divided powers between the national government and the states. Further, they split the functions of government among three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. After much debate throughout the country, the new Constitution was ratified by all thirteen states. It was then time for the nation to elect leaders and begin the work of government. |  |
