America had won the Revolution, but our troubles were far fromover. The thirteen states were squabbling, the country could notpay its bills, and in Massachusetts farmers had taken up armsagainst the government. Was our country, which had fought so hardfor its independence, going to survive? In May 1787 delegates fromacross the country -- including George Washington, James Madison,and Benjamin Franklin -- gathered in Philadelphia and, meeting overthe course of a sweltering summer, created a new framework forgoverning: the Constitution of the United States. Their effortsturned a shaky alliance of states into a nation that would prosperand grow powerful, drawing its strength for centuries to come from"We the people" and inspiring hope for freedom around theworld.
