Lesson 10 · 18 min
This lesson explains how the Constitution was written in 1787, why the Federalist Papers mattered, and what the key Founding Fathers did for the new nation.
After independence, the states first worked together under a plan called the Articles of Confederation. The national government it created was very weak. It could not collect taxes, and it had no president and no national courts.
In 1787, leaders from 12 states met in Philadelphia to fix these problems. This meeting is called the Constitutional Convention. The leaders, often called the Founding Fathers, decided to write a completely new plan of government: the U.S. Constitution.
George Washington was chosen as president of the convention, and Benjamin Franklin, age 81, was its oldest member. James Madison brought many ideas and took careful notes, so he is called the 'Father of the Constitution.' The delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Before the Constitution could become law, nine of the 13 states had to ratify, or approve, it. Many people were worried that a strong national government could take away their freedom.
To answer these worries, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote 85 essays for New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788. They signed all of them with one shared pen name, 'Publius.' Together the essays are called the Federalist Papers.
The Federalist Papers explained how the new government would work and why it was a good plan. They helped people understand the Constitution and supported passing it. The Constitution was ratified in 1788, and the new government began in 1789.
Benjamin Franklin was a printer, writer, scientist, and inventor. He invented the lightning rod and bifocal glasses. For many years he wrote and published 'Poor Richard's Almanac,' a popular yearly book with weather information and short, wise sayings.
Franklin also served the public in many ways. He helped start one of the first libraries in America where people could borrow books, and in 1775 he became the first Postmaster General, the person in charge of the mail. He helped write the Declaration of Independence, and as a U.S. diplomat in France he helped win French support in the war.
George Washington was the general of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and the president of the Constitutional Convention. In 1789 he became the first president of the United States, and he served two terms.
Because he led the country in war and in peace, Washington is called the 'Father of Our Country.' A federal holiday in February, Washington's Birthday, also called Presidents Day, honors him.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Under President Washington, he was the first Secretary of State, the official in charge of relations with other countries. He also wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, a law that protected freedom of religion in Virginia, and later he founded the University of Virginia.
Jefferson was the third president of the United States. In 1803, his government bought the Louisiana Territory from France for about 15 million dollars. This huge area lay between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States. Later, all or part of 15 states were formed from this land. Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore it.
James Madison is called the 'Father of the Constitution' because of his important work at the Constitutional Convention. He was one of the writers of the Federalist Papers, and in Congress he wrote the first version of the Bill of Rights.
Madison became the fourth president of the United States. He was president during the War of 1812, when the United States fought Britain again.
Alexander Hamilton was an aide, or close helper, to General Washington during the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the writers of the Federalist Papers.
Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury, the official in charge of the nation's money. He helped establish the First Bank of the United States in 1791 to make the country's money and credit stronger.
In 1787, leaders met in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention and wrote the U.S. Constitution. They signed it on September 17, 1787. It is still the supreme law of the land today.
The Federalist Papers were 85 essays written to get people to support the new Constitution. Three men wrote them: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. They all signed with one shared pen name, Publius.
After the Constitution was written, the states had to approve it. The Federalist Papers appeared in New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788. They explained how the new government would work and argued that people should accept it.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most famous Americans of his time. He was a printer, writer, scientist and inventor, known for his experiments with electricity. He also served the new nation as a diplomat in France.
George Washington led the army that won the American Revolution. Later he led the meeting that wrote the Constitution and became the first president in 1789. His face is on the one dollar bill and the quarter.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and was the third president. As president he bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. His face is on the five cent coin, the nickel.
James Madison is called the Father of the Constitution because he did so much to plan and write it. He also wrote the first drafts of the Bill of Rights. Later he was the fourth president, and he led the country in the War of 1812.
Alexander Hamilton was a close helper of George Washington during the Revolution. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he set up the young nation's money system. His face is on the ten dollar bill.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson bought a huge piece of land from France. This was the Louisiana Purchase, and it about doubled the size of the country. Memory hook: France, 1803, Louisiana.
In 1787, leaders from the states met in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention. There they wrote the U.S. Constitution. George Washington led the meeting.
The Constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia. It was signed on September 17, 1787, which is now Constitution Day. Do not confuse it with 1776, the year of the Declaration of Independence.
The Federalist Papers were 85 essays that asked people to support the new Constitution. They were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. They all signed with the same pen name, "Publius."
Benjamin Franklin did many things. He represented America in France as a diplomat, was the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention (81 years old), was the first Postmaster General, and wrote "Poor Richard's Almanac." His face is on the 100-dollar bill.
George Washington is called the "Father of Our Country." He led the army in the war for independence, led the Constitutional Convention, and became the first President. The capital city, Washington, D.C., is named after him.
George Washington was the first President of the United States. He served two terms, from 1789 to 1797. His face is on the one-dollar bill and the quarter.
In 1803 the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France. This purchase nearly doubled the size of the country. Thomas Jefferson was President at the time.
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Lesson text is original study material based on the USCIS 2025 Civics Test Study Guide topics. Editorial status: draft, pending expert review.