The Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention is the body convened in 1783 to consider means of overcoming the weakness in the Articles of Confederation, which originally governed post-colonial American life. It meets in Philadelphia under the presidency of George Washington, who questions whether he should even attend, after having sworn never to return to public life after relinquishing command of the Continental Army. The kingly presidency is adopted on the assumption Washington will assume it.

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration, composed primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, puts forth the reasons why the United States must separate from Britain. The key theme, "all men are created equal," has been proclaimed for at least a decade in the colonies.

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment is an umbrella term for the European intellectual movement dedicated to eliminating barbarism in such areas as religion, education and criminology, while promoting all the attributes of...