Creating the Constitution (Sources of the American Tradition)

A remarkable collection of original eighteenth century letters and newspaper articles that were written during the debate over the ratification of the Constitution in 1787-1788. These pieces are intoduced with brief descriptions and explanations that will help students use this volume. The volume also has a general introduction that explains the events leading up to the Constitutional Convention, the ideas of those who wrote the Constitution and then supported its ratification, and the arguments of those who opposed it. All documents have been carefully selected for readability and importance.

About the Editors:

John Kaminski has worked on "The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution" since 1969, first as assocaiate editor and since February 1980 as director. In 1981 he founded, and continues to direct, The Center for the Study of the American Constitution in the Departmant of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Kaminski has edited, co-edited, or written twenty-six books as well as many articles on the Revolutionary era.

Richard Leffler has been deputy director of The Center for the Study of the American Constitution since 1981 and is senior associate editor of "The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, 1787-1791" (14vols., Madison, 1976).