Preface: How did the author get interested in the topic of the book? What does he argue in it?
Chapter 1: In what ways is it clear that the political framework of the Articles of Confederation was never intended to function as a national government? What fundamental disagreements among the states prevented a stronger union? How did the Continental Army's troubles shape General George Washinton and his attitude towards a national government? What was the significance of western lands to the new nation?
Chapter 2: How did the problems of congressional quorums, foreign policy, western lands, and national debt provide evidence of a malfunctional national government? Identify Robert Morris. What did he achieve? Identify Alexander Hamilton. How did the war shape his vision of the nation? Explain the Newburgh Conspiracy and its significance.
Chapter 3: Why do many regard the Treaty of Paris as America's greatest diplomatic triumph? Identify John Jay. What were the roles that he and Thomas Jefferson played in the organization and settlement of western lands? How would Indians be treated? Describe the importance of the Mississippi Question and the failure of Jay's treaty with Gardoqui. How did it lead to the first discussion of not just reform of the Articles but its replacement?
Chapter 4: How were proposals to reform the Articles failures? Why was the Annapolis Convention different? What did it achieve? What was Shays's Rebellion and why was it important? Describe the campaign to enlist George Washington for the Philadelphia Convention. Why was Washington reluctant? How did James Madison become the central player at this point? Describe Madison and the evolution of his ideas.
Chapter 5: In what ways did Madison's mind operate at two levels? What two principles did he insist were non-negotiable for any new government? How did Madison prepare himself for the convention and what principles did he develop? What was the Virginia Plan? Describes the circumstances of its creation. How did Madison and the nationalists seize control of the convention's agenda? Characterize the delegates. How did monarchy and slavery haunt proceedings? What was the significance of the defeat of proportional representation? Describe the role of Gouverneur Morris. Describe Benjamin Franklin's hopeful final words at the convention.
Chapter 6: What roles did the "quartet" play in the ratification process? Identify George Clinton and the problem he posed. How did Hamilton, Madison, Jay, and Washington each campaign for ratification of the Constitution? Why was the sequence of state conventions important? Why were the Federalist Papers written and why are they important? What were Patrick Henry's arguments? How did ratification in New York play out?
Chapter 7: How was Washington convinced to be President? Describe the origins, creation, and passage of the Bill of Rights. Describe Madison's role. What factors and attributes enabled Washington, Jay, Madison, and Hamilton to play the essential roles they did in creating a unified nation and lasting national government?