Peace -- and a burst of creativity -- comes to the United States. A distinctly American culture is about to be born. But governing the world's newest republic is not easy. Congress is ineffectual. Individual states act like sovereign nations. By the time the Constitutional Convention convenes in 1787, many wonder if the country can survive. The long ratification process that follows helps define what sort of nation the United States is to be -- a process that continues to this day.

Note: This is part 6 of a series of 6 parts.