Episode 202: The Early History of the United States Congress

by Holly WhiteSeptember 4, 2018

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On September 17, 1787, a majority of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention approved the new form of government they had spent months drafting and submitted it to the 13 states for their ratification and approval.

On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the Constitution, which prompted the transition to the government of the United States Constitution.

Matt Wasniewski, the Historian of the United States House of Representatives and Terrance Rucker, a Historical Publications Specialist in the Office of the Historian at the United States House of Representatives, lead us on an exploration of why and how the United States Constitution established a bicameral Congress and how and why the House of Representatives took the shape and form that it did during its early meetings.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

Matt Wasniewski, the Historian of the United States House of Representatives and Terrance Rucker, a Historical Publications Specialist in the Office of the Historian at the United States House of Representatives, lead us on an exploration of why and how the United States Constitution established a bicameral Congress and how and why the House of Representatives took the shape and form that it did during its early meetings.

During our exploration, Matt and Terrance reveal information about the Untied States House of Representatives’ Office of the Historian and the work its historians do; Details about the first three congresses of the United States: The First and Second Continental Congresses and the Confederation Congress; And the types of precedents and procedures early members of the House of Representatives established for later members and how and why they created those precedents.

What You’ll Discover

The United States House of Representatives Office of the Historian
The First and Second Continental Congresses
The Confederation Congress
Congress under the Constitution of 1787
Collaboration within early congresses
First questions and issues for the First House of Representatives
Early House of Representatives staff and their roles
Early House page program
Records that reveal information about the early years of the House of Representatives
The preservation of House and Continental Congress history and records
Political divisions and divides in the early House of Representatives
The Lyon-Griswold Affair of 1798
Resources about the House of Representatives

Links to People, Places, and Publications

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Time Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if the Constitution had not divided the legislative branch into two houses: the Senate and House of Representatives? How do you think the development of and early history of Congress would be different? 