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Colonial America

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Civil War/Reconstruction

The Continental Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation during the Revolutionary War. The articles were written to give the colonies some sense of a unified government. Once the thirteen colonies became the thirteen states, however, each one began to act as if they were their own little country with their own laws and even their own currency. This was not working and it was clear to many that a new governing document was needed in order for the country to be truly United!
 

The Real First President

The Articles of Confederation became effective on March 1, 1781, after all thirteen states had ratified them. Once the signing took place, a President was needed to run the country.  The document created the office of president to be appointed by a Committee of the States and limited to a term of one year. Presidential duties involved presiding over the United States in Congress Assembled, executing laws, treaties, and military orders, including military commissions, receiving foreign dignitaries, assembling and adjourning Congress, and other routine functions required by the office. A new president, John Hanson of Maryland, was selected on November 5^th. Hanson served a one-year term that ended on November 4, 1782. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington) As the first President, Hanson had his work cut out for him. No one had ever been President and the role of president didn't come with a set of directions.  He took office just as the Revolutionary War ended. Almost immediately, the troops demanded to be paid. As would be expected after any long war, there was no money to pay their salaries.  As a result, the soldiers threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington on the throne as a monarch. All the members of Congress ran for their lives, leaving Hanson running the government. He somehow managed to calm the troops and hold the country together. If he had failed, the government would have fallen almost immediately and everyone would have been bowing to King Washington! That didn't happen, but Hanson did accomplish a few things...
He ordered all foreign troops off American soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags. This was quite a feat, considering the fact that so many European countries had a stake in the United States since the days following Columbus. Hanson established the Great Seal of the United States, which all Presidents have since been required to use on all official documents. President Hanson also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. Lastly, he declared that the fourth Thursday of every November was to be Thanksgiving Day, which is still true today. 

Reference: Grant, George, "The Forgotten Presidents" (excerpted from "The Patriot's Handbook").

The Articles made the states and legislature supreme. Though there was a president, there was no Executive Branch in the way it is set up today. Judicial functions were very limited.

As a results, the government was very weak, almost pointless.  Even though Efforts to make it stronger failed. A Constitutional Convention was called in May 1787 to re-write the Articles but they all decided start all over and draft an entirely new Constitution.

Delegates at the Constitutional Convention wanted to divide power within the
federal government. They did not want these powers to be controlled by just one man or one group. The delegates were afraid that if a small group received too much power, the United States would wind up under the rule of another dictator or tyrant.

Legislative Branch: Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).

The states ratified, or accepted, the Constitution but shortly after, changes were made. These 10 amendments, or changes, are known as the Bill of Rights. They provide a written guarantee of an person's rights, such as the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion.
James Madison was the author of the Bill of Rights.

Even though the national government of the United States of America was beginning to take shape, it doesn't mean there weren't conflicts. During John Adam's presidency (remember, he was our 2nd president) Alexander Hamilton, who was George Washington's Treasure Secretary and Thomas Jefferson, Washington's Secretary of State, had very different views on the role of the national government. It was under the presidency of John Adams that Jefferson (now serving as Vice President) and Hamilton (still very close to Washington) came to blows and as a result, 2 different political parties were created...

Resources

1. Hamiliton vs. Jefferson 10 Multiple-choice test

2. Issues & Events Faced by first 5 Presidents 10 Multiple-choice test

3. Articles of Confederation & Bill of Rights 24 Multiple-choice test

4. 47 Fill in the blank Test

5. Matching Test

6. Constitutional Convention Test

7. Virginia Historical Documents Test