Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had distinctly different visions of the new American government, representing a major factional division in the social fabric that had been present prior to the Revolution but overlooked in the course of their common struggle. However, independence soon changed the focus of the Revolution to the task of building a new nation. The Continental Congress was prepared to codify the existing system of local governmental control the same year that independence was declared. It submitted to the states for ratification the Articles of Confederation, a set of constitutional arrangements establishing a league of 13 semi-autonomous states coordinated with the assistance of a minor central bureaucracy.

The Articles of Confederation for "the united states of America" first declared that "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power . . . which is not . . . expressly delegated to the united states." The purpose of the new America government is to "enter into a firm league of friendship." America's central government was seen as so minor in importance that the first president of the "united states," John Hancock, failed to show up at his inauguration to assume office in 1776. (George Washington was not to be elected president of the United States for another 13 years.)

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Some common words found in the essay are:
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Revolutionary War, Articles Confederation, Founding Fathers, Hampshire Berkshire, Bill Rights, Rhode Island, John Hancock, Shays Whig, thomas jefferson, articles confederation, bill rights, unanimous consent, james madison, alexander hamilton, president united, john hancock, two-thirds ratification, founding fathers,
Approximate Word count = 1034
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)