The original text of a 1787 article in which James Madison discusses the failures of the Articles of Confederation. An interesting look at the problems with the states and with foreign countries.

This study resource from Khan Academy provides the full text of The Articles of Confederation. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including the AP...

This resource from Khan Academy provides a study resource about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, and the needed call for a new Constitution. These questions are intended for students taking high school...

In a nutshell, you can find out the problems the new nation had under the Articles of Confederation and the process resulted in a new constitution.

Each of the Articles of the Constitution are described in full detail with simplified summaries of each of the sections together with the full, original text.

Article provides an overview of America under the Articles of Confederation between 1783 and 1789. The author discusses economic, political and social aspects within the context of a newly developing idea of a Republic.

An article by the CATO institute about James Madison's vision for his writing and contribution for the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Includes information on his views of a limited government for citizens' rights.

This article summarizes the Articles of Confederation, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it led to the Constitution.

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress became America's de facto government. Over a period of 15 years, from 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress underwent a profound evolution. Starting out as a temporary group that...

Enacted through the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance led to the organization of the Northwest Territory and expedited the expansion of the United States westward. This is a thorough explanation of the ordinance.

A lengthy and detailed article on the issues and events of the Constitutional Conventions in their attempt to amend and then replace the Articles of Confederation.

A brash, self-made millionaire helped fund the fight for independence, but after the war, he ended up in debtor's prison. Without Robert Morris, the American Revolution may have been crushed under a mountain of debt and disarray. The...

From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. The First Continental Congress, which was comprised of delegates from the colonies, met in 1774 in reaction to...

A biography of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and author of some of the Federalist Papers.

The delegates of the Constitutional Convention framed the Constitution of the United States as a basis of government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Armed rebellion in the newly-formed United States of America led to the creation of a stronger central government.