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1787, Continental Congress made a constitution after Articles of Confederation failed; It included a central government divided into three branches:
Executive: president, Legislative: Congress (Senate + House of Representatives), Judicial: Supreme Court. The government is controlled by checks and balances. The Bill of Rights were ten amendments to the new constitution that guaranteed rights of freedom to citizens; made a national gov't that controlled taxes, army, trade, and currency.
What is the United States Constitution