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In 1783, America emerged from a long and bitter war
for Independence. The 13 colonies were now 13
sovereign states, bound together by the Articles of Confederation.
After years of war, men like Thomas Jefferson saw the
possibility of something new under the sun. . .a government
which derived its just power from the consent of those governed.
But
America was in crisis. The Continental Congress was bankrupt
and could not pay off its huge war debts. Many of the 13 states
refused to contribute money, or to cooperate with each other.
What was the solution? Should the United States become a league
of sovereign states, or one country under a national government?
In
May, 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia to attend a convention.
The delegates read like an honor roll of American history. After
more than three months of passionate debate, conflict and compromise,
the United States
Constitution was passed, establishing a national
government. But to become the law of the land, the Constitution
had to be independently ratified
by at least 9 of the 13 states.
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