Founding Documents · 1776–1789
How a nation declared its freedom and built a government to keep it.
The founding documents trace the birth of the United States: the break with Britain, the first attempt at national government, and the Constitution that endures today.
The Charters of Freedom
Declaration of Independence
The 1776 announcement of independence and its self-evident truths.
Articles of Confederation
The first U.S. constitution (1781–1789).
The Constitution
The supreme law of the land, in effect since 1789.
The Federalist Papers
The essays arguing for ratification of the Constitution.
The Constitution, Article by Article
Article I: Legislature
The Congress and its powers.
Article II: Executive
The Presidency.
Article III: Judiciary
The federal courts.
Articles IV–VII
The states, amendment, supremacy, and ratification.