Quick start guide
FoundingTheUSA.com
A starting point for reading the major documents of early American history.
Quick Start Guide
If you are new to early American history, start here:
Main Sections
- United States Constitution
- Declaration of Independence
- Silence Dogood Letters
- Bill of Rights
- Federalist Papers
- Anti-Federalist Papers
Major Documents in Chronological Order
- 1722 – Silence Dogood Letters
- 1754 – Albany Plan of Union
- 1765 – Stamp Act Congress Declaration of Rights and Grievances
- 1774 – Continental Association
- 1774 – Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
- 1775 – Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms
- 1776 – Common Sense
- July 4, 1776 – Declaration of Independence
- 1777–1781 – Articles of Confederation
- 1787 – Northwest Ordinance
- September 17, 1787 – United States Constitution
- 1787–1788 – The Federalist Papers
- 1788 – Anti-Federalist Papers
- 1791 – Bill of Rights
- 1798–1799 – Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Purpose
This site is designed to make the foundational documents of the United States easier to read,
explore, and understand.
A Good Place to Begin
- Silence Dogood Letters
- Declaration of Independence
- United States Constitution