Summary of Gore Vidal's Inventing A Nation

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 George Washington was the president of a company that was developing the navigability of the Potomac River. He was offered valuable shares in the company for himself and his heirs, but he only accepted if he could give whatever dividends that came his way to charities. #2 The United States was formed in 1776, but was not fully formed until 1789.
Until then, the thirteen former British colonies were held uneasily together by the Articles of Confederation. The question was by whom and to what end the powers of the Confederation would be qualified. #3 In 1786, the rickety Confederation was appalled when Massachusetts was revolutionized by one Captain Daniel Shays, a revolutionary hero whom Lafayette had presented with an expensive sword. But by September of 1786, Shays was obliged to sell the sword. #4 In 1787, Washington was officially notified that Congress had named the second Monday in May for a convention to meet in Philadelphia for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.
However, Congress only agreed to the Annapolis Convention's proposal that there be a meeting of delegates from all the States at Philadelphia in May to take into consideration the Trade and Commerce of the United States.