America's first constitution, the Articles of
Confederation, was accepted by the states
in 1781. It gave some powers to the new
nation's central government. At that time,
though, the states were more like separate
countries. After America became free of
Great Britain in 1783, many saw the need
for a stronger central government. For that
reason, on May 25, 1787, the Constitutional
Convention opened in Philadelphia,
Wewe People
Pennsylvania. People attending the convention made a plan for a government with
three branches. Having three branches would keep any one branch from becoming
too strong. The result was the U.S. Constitution, which was signed on September 17,
1787.
What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
1.) The Articles of Confederation were later replaced by the U.S. Constitution.
2.) The Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787.
3.) The Constitutional Convention was the first step toward a stronger central
government in the United States.