Historical Research Library

Discover the people, events, and key documents that shaped the Founding Era.

Singers and dancers focused on Chris Jackson playing George Washington

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“To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth,” by Phillis Wheatley, in Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, London, 1773 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Phillis Wheatley’s Poem on Tyranny and Slavery, 1772

An eloquent condemnation of oppression and slavery, written for the British secretary of state for the colonies, showcasing Wheatley’s literary talent, and advocacy for freedom

Key Document

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, 1775 (Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress)

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms, 1775

An address listing the colonists’ grievances and asserting the right to self-defense

Key Document

Declaration of Independence, Charleston, South Carolina, printed August 2, 1776 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Declaration of Independence, 1776

The founding document that asserted colonial autonomy, enumerated grievances, and set forth the ideals of a new nation

Key Document

The Articles of Confederation, 1777. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Articles of Confederation Ratified, 1781

The first attempt at establishing the relationship—a “firm league of friendship”—between the thirteen colonies

Key Document

Sample of James Madison's handwriting from a letter from James Madison to Major Dana (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

James Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments, 1785

An argument against state-sponsored religion, defending religious freedom and the separation of church and state

Key Document

A North West View of the State House in Philadelphia taken 1778, from C.W. Peale (Library of Congress)

Antifederalist No. 1, 1787

An early critique of the proposed Constitution, arguing the dangers of a centralized government and advocating state sovereignty

Key Document

The Looking Glass for 1787, Amos Doolittle, 1787, Library of Congress.

Antifederalist No. 9, 1787

A critique of the proposed Constitution, expressing concerns over centralized power and the potential threat of an elite ruling class

Key Document

The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, 1788 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Federalist No. 10, 1787

One of 85 essays advocating the ratification of the Constitution, addressing the dangers of factionalism and promoting the strengths of a large republic

Key Document