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.
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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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