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Early US

The years following the American Revolution were challenging for the new nation, which struggled with the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, Federalism, the Alien and Sedition Acts and more.

A cartoon portrays a fight on the floor of Congress between Vermont Representative Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold of Connecticut. With tensions already high due to the controversy over the 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts, the fight was ignited by an insult from Griswold to Lyon.

Alien and Sedition Acts

HISTORY: Federalist Papers

Federalist Papers

circa 1795: The 1st President of the United States, George Washington (1732 - 1799) in consultation with members of his first cabinet; Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson (seated), later the 3rd President and Secretary of the Treasury and co-author of the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton.

Federalist Party

Whiskey Rebel's Presidential Pardon

Whiskey Rebellion

shays-rebellion-monument

Shays’ Rebellion

HISTORY: The Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

gnadenhutten-massacre-2

Gnadenhütten Massacre

Illustration shows General George Armstrong Custer (1839 - 1876) waving his hat to rally his troops as they ride against Native Americans, late nineteenth century. A Native American village is visible in the distance. (Photo by Interim Archives/Getty Images)

George Armstrong Custer

Videos

Before the U.S. Constitution was the law of the land, there were the Articles of Confederation. Find out why they didn't last long.
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Articles of Confederation

How did the differences between Pilgrims and Puritans help shape the states of New England?
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Puritanism

Jamestown Colony