How did the political, social, and economic tensions of the post-Revolutionary period necessitate the creation of the United States Constitution? Richard B. Morris, a distinguished historian of the American Revolution, examines the chaotic state of the American confederation during the 1780s. He argues that the document was not merely a product of abstract philosophy, but a pragmatic response to the failures of the Articles of Confederation, including economic instability and the inability of the central government to maintain order.

Historians frequently cite this work as a reliable and accessible account of the constitutional drafting process. Experts note that Morris provides a balanced view of the conflicting interests that shaped the final document.