Webb County Heritage Foundation Announces
an
Unprecedented Exhibition:
“America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States ©”
Unprecedented Exhibition:
“America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States ©”
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First United American Republic: United Colonies of North America: 13 British Colonies United in Congress was founded by 12 colonies on September 5th, 1774 (Georgia joined in 1775) and governed through a British Colonial Continental Congress. Peyton Randolph and George Washington served, respectively, as the Republic's first President and Commander-in-Chief |
The
Webb County Heritage Foundation and Ms. Toni L. Ruiz will present an exhibit of
rare historic documents to be displayed at the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage
Museum, 810 Zaragoza Street, from January 21 – February 24, 2015. “America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States,” depicts America’s
political evolution from 1774 to 1791 and
reveals four distinctly different United American Republics. To
commemorate the exhibit opening, the public is invited to a Gallery Talk and
Reception at the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage Museum at 6:00 pm on Wednesday,
January 21st followed by a
book signing. Other Speaking engagements:
Middle and High School Curriculum Supplement
For More Information Click Here

U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here
Monday, February 23, 2015
- 12:30 am – 2:30 pm In-Service with UISD middle school history teachers at La Posada. Topic: America’s Four United Republics Middle and High School Curriculum Supplement.
Middle and High School Curriculum Supplement
For More Information Click Here

U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here
- 3:30 – 4:45 pm Student talk at Texas A&M International University with Dr. James Norris and Dr. Mark Menaldo. Topic: “America’s Four United Republics” and “The Forgotten Presidents”
Tuesday,
February 24, 2015
- 9:30 am Laredo Community College debate with students about Who were the First President and First Lady of the United States?
- 6:30 pm Laredo Community College evening public lecture at the Kazen Center Topic: “The Forgotten Presidents”
The
key storytellers of the exhibit will be more than one hundred rare and original
18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century documents, manuscripts,
and letters from the United Colonies of America (1774-1776), the Thirteen
Independent States United in Congress (1776-1781), the United States of America
under the Articles of Confederation (1781 -1787), and We the People of the
United States (1789-Present) under the 1787 U.S. Constitution and its 1789 Bill
of Rights.
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Second United American Republic: The United States of America: 13 Independent States United in Congress was founded by 12 states on July 2nd, 1776 (New York abstained until July 9th), and governed through the United States Continental Congress. John Hancock and George Washington served, respectively, as the Republic's first President and Commander-in-Chief; |
The
priceless documents are on loan to the museum from the collection of nationally
renowned author and historian, Stanley Klos who, along with Dr. Naomi Yavneh
Klos of Loyola University New Orleans, led the team that assembled the exhibit.
“There was no precedent when the representatives of the American colonies first
convened at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia in 1774,” said Klos. “Despite their
distrust of centralized authority, these revolutionaries created three distinct
republics that each had significant weaknesses, but were the best that could be
achieved in their moment. It took a fourth attempt, with the U.S. Constitution
of 1787 supplemented by the 1789 Bill of Rights, to finally create a workable
system. Our goal is to create an exhibit that familiarizes our visitors with
the 15-year nation building process that ultimately created the United States
of America and its evolution via the U.S. Constitution amendment process,” he
said.
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Third United American Republic: The United States of
America: A Perpetual Union was founded by 13 States on March 1st, 1781, with
the enactment of the first U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, and governed
through the United States in Congress Assembled.
Samuel Huntington and George Washington served,
respectively, as the Republic's first President and Commander-in-Chief;
|
Among
the most notable exhibition highlights are: the first magazine printing of the US Constitution of 1787; an 18th Century printing of the 12 Amendments
proposed by the 1789 Congress, of which ten were passed as the Bill of Rights; unique Revolutionary
War and U.S. Founding letters, documents, and broadsides by George Washington,
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Elias Boudinot, John Jay and other leaders; 19th- and 20th-Century
printings, letters and documents related to U.S. Constitutional Amendments
11-27; and many other original documents
from the Continental Congress, United States in Congress Assembled, U.S.
Presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independence, signers of the Articles
of Confederation and current U.S.
Constitution.
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Fourth United American Republic: The United States of America: We the People was formed by 11 states on March 4th, 1789 (North Carolina and Rhode Island joined in November 1789 and May 1790, respectively), with the enactment of the U.S. Constitution of 1787. The fourth and current United States Republic governs through the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in Congress Assembled, the U.S. President and Commander-in-Chief, and the U.S. Supreme Court. George Washington served as the Republic's first President and Commander-in-Chief. |
In 1983, upon the
discovery of 18th Century Philadelphia shipping records in his attic, Klos
began to research and exhibit historic documents. Since then, he has
amassed an impressive collection of rare documents which have headlined special
exhibits at numerous universities, national historic sites, libraries, and
museums. His work has also appeared in hundreds of print and digital
publications including History Channel's Brad
Meltzer's Decoded, The Declaration of Independence, U.S. News & World Report 2006 cover story, “Washington? Get In
Line," and the Discovery Channel s
Unsolved History: Plots To Kill Lincoln.
Klos has authored five books: President Who? Forgotten Founders, The Rise
of the U.S. Presidency and the Forgotten Capitols, Happy Birthdays USA,
Economic Home Runs, and America’s
Four Republics: The More or Less United States.
During
the month of February, Klos will also present talks and student debates at
Laredo Community College, Texas A & M International University, United Independent
School District, and United Day School.
At the conclusion of the exhibit, Laredo Community College will host a
free public lecture by Klos on Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30 pm at
the Martinez Fine Arts Center on the subject of “America’s Forgotten
Presidents.” This lecture will be a
fascinating examination of the 14 men who were elected and served as our
nation’s Heads of State prior to the 1789 inauguration of George
Washington. The talk will trace the
evolution of the U.S. Presidency from the Colonial Continental Congress’
unicameral government to the current Chief Executive whose role is quite
distinct from the legislative and judicial branches of government. All those who
attend the presentations will leave with a new appreciation for the
contributions of the Presidential luminaries who preceded George Washington,
the first President under the current constitution of the United States. A book
signing will follow the lecture.
“People
have to travel to Washington D.C. and visit the National Archives and Library
of Congress to view a collection of U.S. founding documents of this caliber,”
explains Toni L. Ruiz, sponsor of the America’s Four Republics Exhibit. “This is truly a big deal for Laredo and an
incredible opportunity that I encourage everyone to take advantage of. The exhibit is important not only because the
documents are national treasures, but because these primary sources tell the
full story of the complex founding and continued political evolution of our
great country.”
Visitors
can enjoy a range of new media and interactive experiences in conjunction with
the “America’s Four Republics” exhibit on display at the Villa Antigua® Border
Heritage Museum at 810 Zaragoza St. in Laredo through February 24. Museum hours are Tuesday through
Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Admission is $2.00. There is no admission charge on Tuesdays. For further information, contact the museum at
956-718-2727.
Contact: Margarita Araiza, Executive Director
maraiza@webbheritage.org
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
|
December 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
| |
Washington DC
|
November 17,1800 to Present
|
Chart Comparing Presidential Powers
of America's Four United Republics - Click Here
of America's Four United Republics - Click Here
United Colonies and States First Ladies
1774-1788
United Colonies Continental Congress
|
President
|
18th Century Term
|
Age
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783)
|
09/05/74 – 10/22/74
|
29
| |
Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
|
Henry Middleton
|
10/22–26/74
|
n/a
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783)
|
05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
|
30
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
05/25/75 – 07/01/76
|
28
| |
United States Continental Congress
|
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
07/02/76 – 10/29/77
|
29
| |
Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
|
Henry Laurens
|
11/01/77 – 12/09/78
|
n/a
|
Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
|
12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
|
21
| |
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
|
09/29/79 – 02/28/81
|
41
| |
United States in Congress Assembled
|
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
|
03/01/81 – 07/06/81
|
42
| |
Sarah Armitage McKean (1756-1820)
|
07/10/81 – 11/04/81
|
25
| |
Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812)
|
11/05/81 - 11/03/82
|
55
| |
Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808)
|
11/03/82 - 11/02/83
|
46
| |
Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790)
|
11/03/83 - 11/02/84
|
36
| |
Anne Gaskins Pinkard Lee (1738-1796)
|
11/20/84 - 11/19/85
|
46
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
|
11/23/85 – 06/06/86
|
38
| |
Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812)
|
06/06/86 - 02/01/87
|
42
| |
Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818)
|
02/02/87 - 01/21/88
|
43
| |
Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807)
|
01/22/88 - 01/29/89
|
36
|
Constitution of 1787
First Ladies |
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
|
57
| ||
March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
|
52
| ||
Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
|
September 6, 1782 (Aged 33)
|
n/a
| |
March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
|
48
| ||
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
|
50
| ||
December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
|
n/a
| ||
February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
|
n/a
| ||
March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
|
65
| ||
April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
|
50
| ||
June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
|
23
| ||
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
|
41
| ||
March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
|
60
| ||
July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
|
52
| ||
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
|
46
| ||
n/a
|
n/a
| ||
March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
|
42
| ||
February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
| |||
April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
|
54
| ||
March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
|
45
| ||
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
|
48
| ||
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
|
n/a
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
|
21
| ||
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
|
56
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
|
28
| ||
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
|
49
| ||
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
|
47
| ||
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
|
52
| ||
December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
|
60
| ||
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
|
44
| ||
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
|
54
| ||
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
|
48
| ||
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
|
60
| ||
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
|
56
| ||
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
|
31
| ||
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
|
50
| ||
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
|
56
| ||
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
|
56
| ||
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
|
49
| ||
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
|
59
| ||
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
|
63
| ||
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
|
45
| ||
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
|
54
| ||
January 20, 2009 to date
|
45
|
America’s Four Republics
The More or Less United States
Autographed Second Editions
Stan Klos
PO Box 15696
New Orleans, LA 70115
(202) 239-1774
The transformation of the United States of America from thirteen British colonies into the current republic was a complex political process that spanned nearly 15-years. To describe this development, most governmental institutions -- the United States Department of State, for example, and the Smithsonian Institute -- divide the U.S. Republic into two distinct founding stages: the Continental Congress, first, and then the current U.S. Constitution of 1787 governmental system.[i] Historians, educators, and secondary school textbooks have been more thorough and have expanded this dichotomy by dividing the Continental Congress Era into the First Continental Congress, The Second Continental Congress, and the Congress of the Confederation.[ii] The nomenclature used to describe the different “stages” of the rapidly evolving United States, however, has resulted in confusion regarding even the most basic founding facts: for example, the USA birthdate of July 4th, 1776, conflicts with Delaware’s designation as the “first US State,” (based on that state’s status as first to ratify the current US Constitution – on December 7th, 1787). A short list of just a few important national election and event dates demonstrates the challenges:
v What is the Birthdate of the USA? Resolution for Independency – July 2, 1776; Declaration of Independence - July 4th, 1776; Articles of Confederation enactment – March 1, 1781; Constitution of 1787 enactment – March 4, 1789.
v Who was the 1st United States Head of State? U.S. Continental Congress President John Hancock – July 4th, 1776; United States in Congress Assembled President Samuel Huntington – March 1, 1781; United States Constitution of 1787 President George Washington - April 23rd, 1789
v What is the birthdate of the U.S. Constitution? Articles of Confederation framed November 15th, 1777 and enacted March 1st, 1781; Constitution of 1787 framed September 17, 1787 and enacted March 4, 1789.
v Which State was the First U.S. State? New Hampshire first to vote for Independence from Great Britain – July 2nd, 1776; Virginia first to ratify the Articles of Confederation – December 16th, 1777; Delaware first to ratify theConstitution of 1787 on December 7th, 1787
v Who was the First Postmaster General? Continental Congress elected Postmaster General Franklin on July 26th, 1775; United States in Congress Assembled elected Ebenezer Hazard - January 28th, 1782; Presidential appointment Samuel Osgood - September 26th, 1789
v Who Was the First Treasurer? Continental Congress elected Treasurer Michael Hillegas; July 29th, 1775,Constitution of 1787’s Presidential appointment Samuel Meredith - September 11th, 1789
v When was the first Dollar issued? The Continental Congress first enacted the United Colonies Dollar on June 23rd, 1775, United States Dollar on July 22nd, 1776 and the Constitution of 1787’s An act establishing a mint, and regulating the Coins of the United States on April 2, 1792
v Who was the first Commander-in-Chief? Continental Congress elected George Washington on June 15th, 1775;Constitution of 1787, George Washington - April 23rd, 1789
v Name of the first bank chartered by the U.S. Congress? Bank of North America - May 26th, 1781; First Bank of the United States - February 25th, 1791
v Who was the First U.S. Secretary of War? U.S. Continental Congress elected Benjamin Lincoln - October 30th, 1781; United States in Congress Assembled elected Henry Knox - March 8th, 1785
v When was the first non-appealable U.S. Federal Court Decision issued? “Decree of Trenton” - December 30th, 1782; Supreme Court “West v. Barnes” - August 3rd, 1791
Consequently, the convolution of these U.S. Founding events and dates are ubiquitously apparent in everything from school textbooks to Library of Congress exhibits under the current pedagogy.[iii] Even the U.S. Supreme Court, in its opinions, confuses the lawful difference between the United States “Continental Congress” and the Articles of Confederation’s “United States in Congress Assembled.”[iv]
Utilizing Primary Sources and Dispositio, a system used for the organization of facts in Western classical rhetoric, Stanley Yavneh Klos’ America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States reorganized the First, Second, and Confederation “Continental Congress" pedagogy into four distinct United American Republics:
· First United American Republic: United Colonies of North America: Thirteen British Colonies United in Congress was founded by 12 colonies on September 5th, 1774, and expired on July 2nd, 1776, with the enactment of theResolution for Independency. The republic was governed by a British Colonial Continental Congress which, by 1775, provided for the security of its members with the formation of a Continental Army headed by a Commander-in-Chief, establishing military hospitals, the appointment of a Postmaster General, and even the issuing of its own currency. Peyton Randolph and George Washington served, respectively, as the republic's first United Colonies Continental Congress President and Commander-in-Chief;
· Second United American Republic: The United States of America: Thirteen Independent States United in Congresswas founded by 12 colonies with the passage of the Resolution for Independency on July 2nd, 1776 and expired on March 1st, 1781, with the enactment of the Articles of Confederation. The republic was governed by the United States Continental Congress, which conducted the war for independence and elected foreign ministers to negotiate treaties and alliances. John Hancock and George Washington served, respectively, as the republic's first United States Continental Congress President and Commander-in-Chief;
· Third United American Republic: The United States of America: A Perpetual Union was founded by 13 States with the Articles of Confederation’s enactment on March 1st, 1781, and expired on March 3rd, 1789. The republic was governed through the United States in Congress Assembled, which concluded the Revolutionary War, ratified the Treaty of Paris, and primarily governed through Congressional Committees and Executive Department Heads. Samuel Huntington and George Washington served, respectively, as the republic's first United States in Congress Assembled President and Commander-in-Chief;
· Fourth United American Republic: The United States of America: We the People was formed by 11 states with theUnited States Constitution of 1787’s enactment on March 4th, 1789. This, the current republic of the United States, governs through The United States House of Representatives and Senate in Congress Assembled (Bicameral Congress), The President of the United States of America (U.S. President), United States Supreme Court (U.S. Supreme Court). George Washington served as both the Republic's first President and its Commander-in-Chief.
In 2015, America’s Four United Republics: Curriculum Supplement (AFUR), was developed for middle, high school and college students to analyze America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States’ reorganization of the United States founding by employing rhetorical strategies to scrutinize primary source evidence. Instead of memorizing the convolution of notable founding facts and events during the Continental Congress period, students are challenged to evaluate AFUR’s reorganization of the 1774-1790 United States founding period based on the credibility and timeline of the historic record. This curriculum supplement is specifically designed for students to deduce historical conclusions backed by inductive documentary evidence that supports, challenges, and/or refutes AFUR’s Dispositio. Most importantly, the AFUR curriculum ensures that participating students will have a renewed sense of the fundamental experiences and influences that birthed the United States of America.
INDEX
Definition Challenge: What is a Republic? Page 5
Challenge: When Did the First United American Republic Begin? Page 6
Debate: When Was Independence Day? Pages 7 - 8
Setting the Scene: The Articles of Confederation Pages 9 - 10
You be the Judge: The Forming of the Fourth United American Republic Pages 11 – 12
Challenge: Did the United States gain its independence and
sovereignty as a result of the Definitive Treaty of Peace signed
in Paris on September 3rd, 1783? Pages 13 – 14
sovereignty as a result of the Definitive Treaty of Peace signed
in Paris on September 3rd, 1783? Pages 13 – 14
Debate: Who were the first United States’ Head of State and First Lady? Pages 14 - 18
Debate: Which Colony was the first U.S. State? Pages 19 – 21
Challenge: Which city was the first U.S. “Capital”? What building was the
first U.S. Capitol? Pages 22 – 23
first U.S. Capitol? Pages 22 – 23
You be the Judge: Was the 1782 Decree of Trenton the first Federal
Court Decision? Pages 24 – 25
Court Decision? Pages 24 – 25
Why did the 1789 Congress approve a dysfunctional first amendment,
Article the First, to the Constitution of 1787? Pages 26 – 29
Article the First, to the Constitution of 1787? Pages 26 – 29
The Historian: Unit Assessment Page 30
End Notes Page 31 - 32
UCCC, USCC, USCA, & US Presidential Duties & Powers Chart Insert
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