Where America Took An Historical Wrong Turn

America should never have replaced the Articles of Confederation with the United States Constitution. Although it is revered as the source and seat of freedom, the Constitution ensured freedom's eventual demise. The power it centralized in a federal government has gradually broken free from restraints. But as long as the Constitution is worshipped, rather than understood as a political problem, America will not free itself again.

The Articles of Confederation Emerge

In September 1774, representatives from twelve of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss how to respond to a series of laws called the Coercive Acts through which Britain was punishing its wayward colonies. (Georgia was absent because it required British assistance against rebellious indians.) This was the First Continental Congress. Its two main accomplishments were an agreement to boycott British goods and an agreement to call a subsequent assembly.

The Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 with all colonies represented. The first military conflicts of the American Revolution had occurred the month before: the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Congress quickly assumed the role of a provisional government in order to coordinate the war effort. The Second Congress appointed a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The next day, it appointed another committee to draft a constitution to unite the emerging states.

More