Introduction:
In most American history textbooks, the distinctions between the modern executive office of the U.S. President and the earlier presidential role within the Continental and Articles of Confederation Congresses are somewhat outlined. However, these texts largely overlook the perspective that these “Presidents of Congress” were considered to be United States “Heads of State.” Similarly, discussions about the evolution and contrasts between the Continental Congress, the United States in Congress Assembled, and today’s U.S. Congress are typically insufficiently explored.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States (CEUS) curriculum has been specifically designed to address these gaps, examining pivotal political inconsistencies from 1774 to 1788. These issues ultimately culminated in the Congressional call for:
“…a Convention of delegates … to be held at Philadelphia for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation …”
The curriculum also explores the pivotal decision made at the Philadelphia Convention to abandon the Articles of Confederation, craft the current U.S. Constitution, and establish the first bicameral Congress which, proposed twelve constitutional amendments for the States to consider for ratification, laying the groundwork for the Bill of Rights
At its core, the CEUS curriculum is built on the understanding that three distinct congresses preceded the current bicameral U.S. Congress:
United Colonies of North America Continental Congress (UCCC) United States of America Continental Congress (USCC) United States of America in Congress Assembled (USCA) By exploring these congressional stages, the curriculum offers students a comprehensive framework for understanding founding contradictions, such as the common recognition of July 4, 1776, as the nation’s birthdate, while the U.S. Mint commemorates Delaware as the “First State” based on its 1787 ratification of the Constitution.
The question arises: Were there no member states in the United States Republic between 1776 and 1787?
The CEUS curriculum tackles this discrepancy in its 10th module, Debate: Which State is the First U.S. State? In this exercise, students analyze primary sources demonstrating that New Hampshire’s delegates to the United Colonies Continental Congress were the first to vote for independence on July 2, 1776; Virginia was the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation on December 16, 1777; and Delaware was the first state to ratify the current U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787. Students are then asked:
Was Delaware the first state? If not, which state do you believe is the first U.S. state? What historical evidence supports your argument? Collaborate with your classmates to reach a consensus on which state is the “First U.S. State.” The CEUS curriculum incorporates elements of the "First State" perspective in its 2nd module, Challenge: Did the United Colonies Continental Congress Govern as a Republic? This section provides primary sources for students to analyze and form their own conclusions about whether the United Colonies Continental Congress operated as a republic.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States curriculum offers an engaging and thoughtful approach to the history of America’s political development, empowering students to critically examine the nation’s foundational periods and the evolving structures of governance.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
High School/Collegiate Curriculum
The United Colonies Continental Congress (UCCC) was formed by 12 colonies on September 5th, 1774, and expired on July 1st, 1776, with the Resolution for Independency’s passage on July 2nd, 1776. The United Colonies Continental Congress provided for the security of its member Colonies with the formation of a Continental Army, the creation of a post office, the election of foreign ministers, and the issuing of its own currency. Peyton Randolph and George Washington served, respectively, as the first United Colonies Continental Congress President and Commander-in-Chief;
The United States Continental Congress (USCC) was formed by 12 colonies with the passage of the Resolution for Independency on July 2nd, 1776 and expired on February 28th, 1781, with the Articles of Confederation’s enactment on March 1st, 1781. There was no constitution and the republic was governed under the acts passed by the Continental Congress with each State having one vote in quorums as small as seven member States. Only one delegate was required to have a State’s vote tallied in Congress. John Hancock and George Washington served, respectively, as the republic's first United States Continental Congress President and Commander-in-Chief;
The United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) was formed by 13 States with the Articles of Confederation’s enactment on March 1st, 1781, and expired on March 3rd, 1789, with the implementation of the current U.S. Constitution on March 4th, 1789. The republic was constitutionally governed under Articles of Confederation with state quorums on important matters requiring nine members with a two delegate minimum present in Congress per State. All constitutional changes required the unanimous approval of the 13 member States. Samuel Huntington and George Washington served, respectively, as the republic's first United States in Congress Assembled President and Commander-in-Chief;
The United States House of Representatives (HR) and Senate in Congress Assembled were formed by 11 states with the United States Constitution of 1787’s enactment on March 4th, 1789. The republic is currently governed under this United States Constitution and its 27 Amendments. Frederick Muhlenberg served as the first Speaker of the House, Vice President John Adams served as the first President of the Senate, John Jay served as the first Chief Justice, and George Washington served as the first U.S. President and Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America (POTUS).
Debate: When Was Independence Day?
Setting the Scene: The Articles of Confederation
You be the Judge: Forming a new United States Constitution
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?
Debate: Who were the first United States’ Head of State and First Lady?
Debate: Which State is the first U.S. State?
Challenge: Which city was the first United States Capital?
The Historian: Unit Assessment
End Notes
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
VIDEO
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
Presidents of the United States of America
1789 - Present
United Colonies and States First Ladies
Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America
Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
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
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