Chapter 8: The United States of North America, 1786-1800
- To Form a More Perfect Union: The Constitutional Convention
Check the sections, "Identifying Defects in the Confederation" and "Creating a Constitution" for useful text summaries and some images.
- Creation of the U.S. Constitution
A detailed article from the National Archives providing more in-depth information about the creation and ratification of the Constitution.
- Constitutional Convention Delegates
A biographical directory of all the delegates, arranged by state. Produced by the National Archives.
- The Constitution of the United States
The National Archives provides a view of the original, the full text, biographies of the founders, an extended analysis of the document's creation, and a list of fascinating facts.
- The Bill of Rights
The National Archives provides images, full text, and summaries of the first ten amendments adopted by Congress to seal the bargains made at practically every ratification convention for the addition of civil rights protections missing from the original Constitution.
- President George Washington
Brief biography, inaugural addresses, and familiar quotations, plus a biography of his spouse Martha. Sponsored by the White House.
- Washington's Inaugural Address (1789)
Images, summary, and full text of the first Presidential inaugural speech. Provided by the National Archives.
- First Thanksgiving Day Proclamation (1789)
Among the many firsts of the Washington administration was the first official recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday Americans currently celebrate annually. Read the full text of Washington's statement.
- First U.S. Copyright law (1790)
Another first for the Washington administration: the first law protecting what is today called "intellectual property rights."
- Jay's Treaty (1794)
Full text of the controversial treaty with Britain that settled most of the loose ends left over from the Revolution.
- Washington's Farewell Address (1796)
View a contemporary printed version and read the full text of the speech in which Washington warned the country about the dangers of entangling alliances and partisan politics.
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