This week's module covers the initial years of the American Republic under the Articles of Confederation and the transition to the Constitution that we know today. From the Revolution, to the troubles under the Articles and Shays' Rebellion, to the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratifying the new governing document, the formative years of the United States and the experiences of the Founders significantly shaped the structure of the government as we are familiar with it today. Once you've completed the readings for this week, answer one of the following in your discussion post and engage with your classmates: 1. How were the Articles of Confederation inadequate to meet the needs of governing the diverse interests of the 13 original colonies? What were the Articles' deficiencies in securing legitimacy from the people and coercing the states and citizens? What specific elements of the Constitution addressed the problems of collective action that plagued governance under the Articles of Confederation? 2. What was Madison's motivation for writing Federalist 10? What does tyranny look like to Madison, and what is his proposed solution to avoid tyranny in the new United States? Do you think that Madison's proposal is feasible? In other words, do you think a large republic successfully controls the effects of factions today? 3. Why did the various constitutional amendments happen when they did? What is the purpose of a constitutional amendment? How might the current Constitution be changed to meet contemporary needs? If you could propose a Twenty-Eighth Amendment, what would it be and why