“We the people” are the most important words in the Constitution. The value of these words lies in their recognition of America as one nation, the United
States, a nation bound together by the Constitution. But how did the United States become one nation rather than two, or 10 or 50? In this engaging course, we will explore the emergence of America as one nation. Part one will cover the problems and challenges of nationhood, from the Colonial period through the end of the Revolutionary War. Part 2 (winter quarter) will cover the period from the failure of the first American government through the ratification of the Constitution.
