Tuesday, September 11, 2012

America's Four United Republics

 

The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America 

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]. 

Americas Four United Republics (AFUR) examines the idea that the United States developed through four distinct constitutional republics, each marking a separate phase in its political evolution:

The United Colonies Continental Congress (UCCC) was convened by twelve colonies on September 5, 1774, in response to escalating British aggression. This body governed under no formal constitution and expired with the passage of the Resolution for Independency on July 2, 1776, which declared the colonies free and independent states. During its tenure, the UCCC laid the foundations of national governance by organizing a Continental Army, establishing a postal system, appointing foreign envoys, and issuing its own currency. Peyton Randolph served as the first President of the Congress, and George Washington was appointed as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

The United States Continental Congress (USCC) was formally created by the adoption of the Resolution for Independency on July 2, 1776, and continued until February 28, 1781, when the Articles of Confederation were implemented the following day. Operating without a binding constitution, the Congress governed through its own enacted resolutions. Each state held one vote, and official action could proceed with as few as seven states present, with only one delegate needed to cast a state's vote. John Hancock served as the first President of the United States Continental Congress, while George Washington continued as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

The United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) was established by the ratification of the Articles of Confederation on March 1, 1781, with all thirteen states participating. It remained the governing body of the republic until March 3, 1789, the day before the current U.S. Constitution took effect. Under this first constitutional framework, important matters required a quorum of nine states, each represented by a minimum of two delegates. Any amendment to the Articles required unanimous consent. Samuel Huntington served as the first President of the USCA, and George Washington remained Commander-in-Chief.

The United States Congress, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate, was established under the U.S. Constitution of 1787, which went into effect on March 4, 1789, with eleven states initially ratifying. The republic has since been governed under this living constitution and its 27 amendments. Frederick Muhlenberg was elected the first Speaker of the House, Vice President John Adams presided as the first President of the Senate, and John Jay served as the first Chief Justice of the United States. George Washington, unanimously elected by the Electoral College, became the first President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief under the new federal government.

America’s Four United Republics: A Revised Introduction

The concept that the United States evolved through four distinct constitutional republics first emerged during the Annapolis Continental Congress Festival in 2012. This interpretive framework offered a fresh perspective on the nation’s political development, encouraging a reexamination of how governance transitioned through various constitutional stages. While we continue to stand by the historical scholarship underpinning this model, its presentation proved too controversial for broad implementation within U.S. primary and secondary school curricula.

In response, the initiative was rebranded as the Congressional Evolution of the United States of America (CEUSA) Curriculum and reshaped to better align with traditional educational standards. CEUSA now presents the nation’s political development in a more accessible format, focusing on the evolution of congressional governance through evidence-based inquiry and chronological context.

Among its featured components is the module “Challenge: Did the United Colonies Continental Congress Govern as a Republic?” This unit invites students to explore whether the United Colonies functioned as a republic during their earliest collective efforts at governance. Drawing on a wide range of primary and secondary sources, students are encouraged to analyze the evidence and formulate their own conclusions through critical thinking and historical reasoning.

Beyond this module, CEUSA does not emphasize the "Four Republics" thesis in its K–12 curriculum. Instead, that broader framework has been reserved for advanced study, finding a place in collegiate settings such as the course “America’s Four United Republics: The Rhetoric of Free Enterprise.” There, the concept can be examined more deeply within an academic environment that welcomes scholarly debate and critical interpretation.

The americasfourrepublics.com website supports these educational efforts by providing CEUSA-aligned resources, including downloadable curriculum materials, digital exhibits, and scholarly presentations. Highlights include a lecture delivered at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and displays featured at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference, where original historical artifacts are used to enrich the teaching of early American history. Through these tools, CEUSA continues to promote informed inquiry into the formation and transformation of American government.

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.


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.

Freedom Riders with an autographed  Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter Form A Birmingham Jail 

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.


America’s Four United Republics Exhibit: A Close-Up Look at History

The America’s Four United Republics exhibit, showcased at the National Social Studies Teachers Conference, offered attendees a rare glimpse into a collection of significant primary sources. These historical artifacts, displayed in a carefully curated case, illuminated pivotal moments in the formation and governance of the United States.

Highlighted primary sources included:

  • A three-pound Virginia note signed by President Peyton Randolph, dating back to the early days of 1774.
  • A 1774 printing of the Articles of Association, a foundational agreement among the colonies.
  • A 1775 autograph document signed by Richard Henry Lee, a key advocate for American independence.
  • The 1776 Journals of the Continental Congress, opened to the Declaration of Independence, printed by John Dunlap.
  • The 1777 Journals of the Continental Congress, featuring the Articles of Confederation, also printed by John Dunlap.
  • A document signed by John Hancock during his presidency of the Continental Congress.
  • A signed document by First Lady Sarah Livingston Jay, offering a glimpse into the lives of influential women of the era.
  • The 1781 Journals of the United States in Congress Assembled, opened to the enactment of the Articles of Confederation.
  • Documents signed by notable Congressional presidents, including Samuel Huntington and Thomas McKean.
  • An 1786 printing of the first published poem by a woman in the United States, written by Annis Boudinot Stockton.
  • A letter signed by John Jay in his role as U.S. Foreign Secretary.
  • An August 1787 printing of the Northwest Ordinance, a cornerstone in U.S. territorial expansion.
  • A letter signed by Arthur St. Clair, then Governor of the Northwest Territory.
  • A September 1787 printing of the U.S. Constitution, laying the foundation for the nation’s governance.
  • A November 1789 printing of the Bill of Rights, detailing the original 12 proposed Constitutional Amendments.

The exhibit served as a tangible connection to the formative years of the United States, providing educators and attendees with invaluable tools to deepen their understanding of the nation’s history and evolution.






America’s Four Republics


The More or Less United States

The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America 

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]. 


Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents 
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776


September 5, 1774
October 22, 1774
October 22, 1774
October 26, 1774
May 20, 1775
May 24, 1775
May 25, 1775
July 1, 1776

Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - July 1, 1776


Continental Congress of the United States Presidents 
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

Commander-in-Chief United States of America
George Washington: July 2, 1776 - February 28, 1781


Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
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
George Washington: March 2, 1781 - December 23, 1783

Articles of Confederation Congress
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.


Presidents of the United States of America
1789 - Present

POTUS - CLICK HERE


United Colonies and States First Ladies
1774 - Present

FLOTUS - CLICK HERE



Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America

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

Chart Comparing Presidential Powers Click Here


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Edited: Open AI(2024)ChatGPT [Large language model] - https://chatgpt.com