For students and teachers of U.S. history, this video features Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Filmed in December 2015, this video is an informal recording by an audience member capturing a presentation attended by approximately 200 students, professors, and guests. To explore the full curriculum, [download it here].
This website, americasfourrepublics.com, explores the concept that the United States evolved through four distinct republics: the United Colonies under the Continental Congress, the independent states united under the U.S. Continental Congress, the union under the Articles of Confederation, and the current federal system established by the 1787 Constitution. It offers educational resources, including the Congressional Evolution of the United States of America (CEUSA) curriculum, which encourages critical analysis of early American governance. The site also features presentations, such as one at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and exhibits from events like the National Social Studies Teachers Conference, showcasing historical artifacts to enhance the teaching of U.S. history.
America's Four United Republics: A Revised Introduction
The idea that the United States of America was shaped through the formation of four distinct Republics emerged during the Annapolis Continental Congress Festival in 2012. This concept provided a fresh lens to examine the nation’s political evolution. While we still believe the scholarship behind this interpretation is robust, the educational approach proved too controversial for widespread adoption in the United States’ primary and secondary school systems.
In response, we rebranded the initiative as the Congressional Evolution of the United States of America Curriculum (CEUSA) and adapted its focus to better align with traditional pedagogical frameworks. The updated curriculum explores the historical development of American governance in a more accessible format.
One notable module, Challenge: Did the United Colonies Continental Congress Govern as a Republic?, encourages students to critically assess whether the United Colonies of North America functioned as a republic during their earliest phases of governance. This module is designed to provide diverse primary and secondary sources, allowing students to evaluate evidence and form their own conclusions on this pivotal question.
Beyond this module, the CEUSA curriculum does not delve deeply into the notion of the United States existing as distinct republics during its governance under the Continental Congress, the Articles of Confederation, or the current U.S. Constitution. Instead, the broader "Four Republics" framework has been reserved for advanced study, finding a home in collegiate courses such as America’s Four United Republics: The Rhetoric of Free Enterprise. This course allows for a more in-depth exploration of the concept within an academic context, where it can be critically examined and debated.
National Social Studies Teachers Conference 2015:
We had an incredible experience engaging with the hundreds of social studies teachers who visited our booth and attended our presentation. Their enthusiasm and insights made our time at the conference both productive and inspiring.
In addition to educators, representatives from the Library of Congress, National Archives, and National Parks, as well as Freedom Riders, stopped by our booth after the presentation of the America’s Four United Republics (AFUR) Curriculum to explore its collection of primary sources. Their interest in the curriculum highlighted its potential to enrich the teaching of American history with authentic, thought-provoking materials.
Below are some photos of our visitors interacting with historical artifacts showcased at the conference, including:
- The First Federal Court Decree from Pennsylvania v. Connecticut (1782).
- The 1803 Congressional Printing of the Louisiana Purchase.
- A signed copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
These exhibits offered attendees a unique opportunity to connect directly with pivotal moments in U.S. history, sparking engaging discussions about their significance in the classroom.
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America’s Four United Republics booth at the National Social Studies Teachers Conference in New Orleans with the 1782 Decree of Trenton, 1803 Congressional Printing of the Louisiana Purchase, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter Form A Birmingham Jail made available for teacher photo opportunities. |
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| Freedom Riders with an autographed Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter Form A Birmingham Jail |
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America’s Four United Republics booth at the National Social Studies Teachers Conference in New Orleans with the 1782 Decree of Trenton and 1803 Congressional Printing of the Louisiana Purchase displayed on table for teacher photo opportunities. |
United States National Park Ranger holding the 1803 U.S. Congressional printing of the Louisiana Purchase.
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For students and teachers of U.S. history, this video features Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Filmed in December 2015, this video is an informal recording by an audience member capturing a presentation attended by approximately 200 students, professors, and guests. To explore the full curriculum, [download it here].
September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
Commander-in-Chief United States of America
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
USCA | Session Dates | USCA Convene Date | President(s) |
First | 03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781* | 03-02-1781 | |
Second | 11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782 | 11-05-1781 | |
Third | 11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783 | 11-04-1782 | |
Fourth | 11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784 | 11-03-1783 | |
Fifth | 11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785 | 11-29-1784 | |
Sixth | 11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786 | 11-23-1785 | |
Seventh | 11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787 | 02-02-1787 | |
Eighth | 11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788 | 01-21-1788 | |
Ninth | 11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789** | None | None |
* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781. The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.
Philadelphia | Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774 | |
Philadelphia | May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776 | |
Baltimore | Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777 | |
Philadelphia | March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777 | |
Lancaster | September 27, 1777 | |
York | Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 | |
Philadelphia | July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783 | |
Princeton | June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783 | |
Annapolis | Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784 | |
Trenton | Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784 | |
New York City | Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788 | |
New York City | October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789 | |
New York City | March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790 | |
Philadelphia | Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800 | |
Washington DC | November 17,1800 to Present |
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