Assess the American experience under the central government established by the Articles of Confederation, which in war and peace proved inadequate to the nation''s needs. Responding to the shortcomings of their earlier beliefs about the appropriate structure and powers of government, American leaders wrote a new constitution at Philadelphia in 1787. The Washington administration then completed the work of the Constitutional Convention and gave form and substance to the new federal government, particularly its presidency and judiciary. Compare and contrast the two documents (Articles of Confederation and the Constitution).