American History: Outlines: Drafting the Constitution

Essay covers from the Articles of Confederation and the problems of disunity of the new states after the Revolutionary War, internally as well as externally, to the Constitutional Convention, an attempt to address the Articles' problems. The site includes discussion on the acts and the thoughts of many of the delegates present during the drafting of the Constitution, including the compromises and plans adopted. Listed also are personages who refused to attend the convention based on their objections to centralized Federal authority and finalizing of the document with Franklin's last words. Link to specific events, men, and documents for a complete analysis of the U.S. Constitution from beginning to end.