Hamilton never liked the Articles of the Confederation because it lacked the power to collect taxes from the states. He led the Annapolis Convention which called for a new convention in Philadelphia so that a new constitution would be written. In Philadelphia, Alexander would write 51 of the 85 installments of “The Federalist” which called for a new constitution.

When Andrew was just a teenager, the American Revolution broke out. Andrew joined the side of the Americans. A short time after enlisting, he and his brother Robert were captured by British redcoats. Conditions in the prisoner of war camp were terrible, and both Andrew and Robert contacted small pox. Robert would soon die, and then Andrew's mother would die of cholera shortly afterward. Following their deaths he studied law in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Benedict was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1741. He was an apprentice druggist until he quit to fight in the French Indian War. Benedict then served in the New York militia until he became a deserter a year later. A short time later he returned to Norwich to complete his druggist apprenticeship. When Benedict was just 21 years of age his parents died, leaving him a large sum of money. At the time he and his sister moved to New Haven, Connecticut, and they opened up a pharmacy and bookstore. The business soon profited, and before long Benedict owned several trading ships which sailed as far as the West Indies.

In November of 1775, the Continental Congress created a Committee of Secret Correspondence under the direction of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was told to find a country that would be interested in helping the Americans. Then not long afterward, in the winter of 1775-76, a French agent, named Bonvouloir appeared in Philadelphia. He soon testified in front of Franklin's committee. Bonvouloir had no powers, and he could not negotiate. However, when Bonvouloir returned to France he reported that the Americans were determined to become independent.

Baron Frederich von Steuben was born in town of Magdeburg, in the Kingdom of Prussia, on September 17, 1730. His father was a well respected Royal Prussian engineer named Captain Baron Wilhelm von Steuben, and his mother was named Elizabeth. At the age of 14, Frederich fought in the War of Austrian Succession, as a volunteer. He was accompanied by his father. Next he joined the Prussian Army as a paid soldier. He was now 17 years old. Frederich would rise to second lieutenant during the Seven Years War. Then just a few years later, he was wounded at the Battles of Prague and Kunersdorf. Frederich was taken prisoner by the Russians in 1761, and after his release was discharged by the Prussian Army.

George served in the Virginia legislature's House of Burgess for 15 years. Then in 1759, he married Martha Dandridge Custis, the wealthiest widow in Virginia. Next he served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, soon afterward became commander in chief of the Continental Army.

John Adams was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1735. He was raised on a farm by his father and mother, who were named John, and Susanna. By all accounts, he had a very normal childhood. Then, at 16 he enrolled in Harvard. After graduating in 1751, he became the schoolmaster in the town of Worcester, outside of present day Boston. John had no desire to spend the rest of his life working as a schoolmaster. Before long, he became friends with James Putman, a local lawyer, and he began studying to be a lawyer. He soon opened his own practice in Braintree in 1758.

John Paul Jones was born in Scotland in 1747. His father had been employed as a gardener, however John Paul was apprenticed to a ship owner. John Paul found his very first voyage to America very exciting. After a short time, his employer died, and out of desperation, John Paul took a job on a slave ship. It didn't take long before he could no longer stomach the slave trade and he quit. John Paul took the first ship back to England. However, in route both the captain and the first mate died. John Paul knew exactly what to do, he took command of the ship and returned it to the grateful owner. The owner was so impressed that he gave him a huge financial reward, and hired him to be the captain of one of his ships.

Marquis de Lafayette was born on September 6, 1757 in Chavaniac, France. His father was killed fighting the British during the Seven Year War. Then, when Marquis was just 13 years old he lost both his mother and grandmother. At this time Marquis received an enormous inheritance. He joined the French Royal Army the following year. Marquis soon grew to dislike the British, so when he started hearing the stories of America's struggles against the oppressive British, he boarded a boat and headed for America.

Martha Dandridge Custis was the richest widow in Virginia. She was an attractive woman with hazel eyes, curly brown hair, a wide forehead, strong nose, and an enormous amount of self-confidence. She and her deceased husband, Daniel Parker Custis, were frequent participants in the elite Virginia social scene. It was at social events that she and George Washington first met. Prior to the death of her husband she had danced with George Washington at more than one fancy ball in Williamsburg. After the death of her husband, Martha and her two children inherited a beautiful 17,438 acre estate. The estate, was enormous as it comprised all of the prime land within a 40 mile radius of Williamsburg.

Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736, on his family's farm in Hanover County, Virginia. His father, John, had immigrated to to Virginia after graduating from King's College. He met, Patrick's mother, Sarah Winston Syme when he arrived in Hanover County. For a wedding present her parents gave them 300 acres and 6 slaves. Unfortunately, the ground had been exhausted from over cultivation. Before long, Patrick began working as a lawyer where he would soon gain local attention in a case that became known as the “Parson's Clause.” During his impassioned speech before the jury he denounced a church minister who had sued for and eventually won back pay. Patrick convinced the jury to only award him one penny. Soon afterward, he would be elected to the Virginia House of Burgess in 1765.

Paul attended the equivalent of elementary school before learning his father's silversmith trade. It didn't take long before he became the most famous silversmith in the country. Paul made surgical instruments, tableware, frames for glasses, and even false teeth. Bored and hungry for some excitement, he spent 3 years fighting for the Massachusetts regiment during the French and Indian War. When Paul returned he once again opened up a silversmith shop. He was very politically active and quickly became friends with the biggest names in Boston politics including Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, and Dr. Joseph Warren. Soon Paul became a leader in the Boston Sons of Liberty. He would make a name for himself by dressing up as a Mohawk Indian and tossing tea into the Boston Harbor.

Samuel Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 27, 1722. Samuel was raised by his Puritan father, Samuel Adams senior, and his mother Mary. His father was a prosperous merchant, and he was very involved in Boston politics. After a short period of time the senior Adams became a justice of the peace, and shortly afterward was elected into the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The younger Samuel Adams attended Boston Latin School, before entering Harvard College at the age of 14. His parents had hoped that he would pursue a career as a minister, but instead he became obsessed with politics. After graduating from Harvard at age 18 Samuel went to work in his family beer making business.

Thomas Jefferson was taught Greek and Latin by a local schoolmaster. He then attended the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg in 1759. Away at college, Thomas spend most of his time reading and playing the violin. After graduating he studied law under George Wythe. Unfortunately, he wasn't a very good public speaker. In 1768, he started construction on land that he had inherited from his father. He would soon begin calling it Monticello. A year later, Thomas won a seat in Virginia's House of Burgess.