The Second Continental Congress of 1775 became the first Central Government of the United States. Though it had no constitutional basis, it adopted the Declaration of Independence, declared war, provide loans and issued currency, established a postal system, sent and received ambassadors, made treaties, authorized privateering and exercised other acts of sovereignty. In order to place the acting ’de facto’ national government on a formal ’dejure’ basis and to give recognition to it, the Congress adopted the draft of a constitution prepared by a committee of its members, headed by John Dickinson. This constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was the first plan for a government of the United States under this national government. Each state had two or more delegates to a central assembly, the Congress. The Assent of a minimum of nine states was required to pass important laws.

Index

1.0 - Introduction
1.1 The Continental Congress
1.2 The Articles of Confederation
1.3 The Constitutional Convention
1.4 Key Concepts in the Constitution
1.5 Summary of the Constitution
1.6 The Debate over Ratification
1.7 The Amendment Process
1.8 The Bill of Rights
1.9 Subsequent Amendments (1789-1992)

Chapter 2