Historical Research Library
Discover the people, events, and key documents that shaped the Founding Era.
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Constitutional Convention, 1787
Delegates meet in Philadelphia to address weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, resulting in a new form of government
Event
Federalist No. 84, 1788
One of 85 essays advocating the ratification of the Constitution, focusing on Antifederalist concerns about the need for a Bill of Rights
Key Document
Antifederalist No. 84, 1788
An expression of Antifederalists desire for a Bill of Rights in the US Constitution
Key Document
United States Constitution, 1788
A unique framework for a new government based on the idea of the consent of the governed
Key Document
Antifederalist No. 46, 1788
An expression of Antifederalists’ concerns over federal power and the potential for tyranny in the proposed US Constitution
Key Document
Federalist No. 51, 1788
One of 85 essays advocating the ratification of the Constitution, providing insight into the different branches of government, particularly the importance of checks and balances and the separation of powers
Key Document
Thomas Jefferson on Manumitting Slaves, 1789
Letter sent from Paris reflecting on freeing slaves—revealing his conflicting beliefs on liberty and equality amid the revolution
Supporting Document
George Washington’s First Inaugural Address, 1789
Precedent-setting speech that emphasized national unity, civic duty, and the importance of the Constitution, which set the tone for his presidency
Key Document
Debate on a National Bank, 1790–1791
Intense deliberations over Hamilton’s proposal for a central bank—highlighting the federal government vs. state government power struggle
Event
Hamilton’s Report on the Subject of Manufactures, 1791
The third part of Alexander Hamilton’s vision for the economy advocated industrialization, tariffs, and government support for infrastructure
Key Document
Bill of Rights, 1791
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution—hard-fought additions that protect some individual liberties and limit government power
Key Document
Whiskey Rebellion, 1794
Pennsylvania farmers violently resisted a federal whiskey tax—illustrating the tensions between frontiersmen and the new government’s authority
Event