A major issue that has been a frequent source of debate in the United States is the extent of power the federal government should wield. The failure of the central government created under the Articles of Confederation (see George Washington primary source entry in volume 1) led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Even after the Constitution was completed, a year passed before the two-thirds majority of states (nine of thirteen) approved the document that formed the United States.

Many noted American statesmen, including future presidents Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826; see entry in volume 1) and James Monroe (1758-1831; see entry in volume 1), were concerned that the federal government outlined in the Constitution could overwhelm the power of individual states. They were joined by another future president, James Madison (1751-1836; see entry in volume 1), who was...