After America had gained her independence from Great Britain she faced fresh challenges. Chiefly amongst them was how to govern their new democratic republic in a way that respected the rights and will of the people. After consulting the “wisdom of the ages” and through embittered debate, they had created a new constitution. It was put before the American people who debated its merits. The outpouring of writings from the Federalists and Anti-federalists that followed laid out a vision for a new, distinctly American system of government. It was both radical and innovative while simultaneously reflecting upon and conserving the achievements of past civilizations. This American System with its foundational principles of popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, civilian control of the military, and its unique division of powers between state and national governments provided the framework by which the government can protect individual rights. It is only through the understanding and application of these principles that we improve and maintain, in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “a republic, if you can keep it.”