When the First Congress met in New York, the new nation was still fragile, split by sectional differences, crushed by debt, and stitched together only tentatively by the new Constitution. It was left to Congress and President George Washington to create the machinery that would make the government work. Fortunately, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and others less well known today, rose to the occasion. During two years of often fierce political struggle, they passed the first ten amendments to the Constitution; overcame regional rivalries to choose the site for the new national capital; established capitalist principles as the basis of the country's financial system; created the Supreme Court and the national judicial system, and much more. Congress also faced intractable issues that remain to this day, including the balance between legislative and executive power, and the conflict between states' rights and national government.

Title from container. "HD." "LIGHT." "Tantor audio." Previously released by Tantor Media, Inc., Â2016. Release date supplied by publisher. Issued on Playaway, a dedicated audio media player. One set of earphones and one AAA battery required for listening.