Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The period following the Revolution was marked by great instability and change, driven by factors such as the end of monarchical rule, evolving government structures, religious divisions, social challenges, economic uncertainty, and significant population shifts. While the states had come together politically in 1777 under the Articles of Confederation, they were not yet a united nation; each state maintained individual sovereignty and functioned under its own constitution. Due to a lack of funds, Congress struggled to cover war debts, maintain the military, and support other government costs. The new ability to borrow money sparked entrepreneurial development, but as complications arose, new businesses collapsed and economic instability persisted. In 1787, a group of delegates developed a new Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation, uniting the states as a single nation and helping to stabilize the economy.