The Early National Period: 1787 to 1800

Chapter Outlines: (Click for outline)

9. The Confederation and the Constitution

10. Launching the New Ship of State

Additional Notes:                                           Outside Readings:

Problems of the Confederation Congress            "The Critical Period" Edmund S. Morgan

Constitution Notes                                          "Federalist 10" by James Madison

Constitution Historiography                              "A List of Objections to the Constitution"

Articles of Confederation                                 "A Rebuttal to the Objections..." 

Compromises in the Constitution                      Excerpts of The Federalist Papers  

Constitutional Convention                                "The Generation" Joseph J. Ellis

Ratification of the Constitution                         "Founders Chic" by H.W. Brands

Flexibility in the Constitution                            "Founding Rivalries"  Jay Tolson

Bill of Rights

Amendments 11-27

Keys to the White House

Electoral College: Debate

How to Get Elected

Functions of Political Parties

How the Supreme Court Works

Supreme Court: What the Constitution Says

Checks and Balances

Divisions of Power in the Constitution

Roles of the President

Roots of the Constitution

The Presidency: What the Constitution Says

The Unwritten Constitution

Congress: What the Constitution Says

America's First Political Parties

Washington's Presidency

Presidency of John Adams

Precedent President: Washington