the articles of confederation were the precursor to the constitution. they tried the articles first and when they failed they came up with the constitution.
Presumably he was rather busy as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, a position to which he was appointed in June, 1775. The fighting was underway well before the Declaration of Independence was signed in July (or August, or November, depending on who you ask) of 1776. The battles of Lexington and Concord in April, 1775 are usually considered to mark the beginning of the war.
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The british closed down Boston's commerce (trade) and ended local self-government by passing the Intolerable Acts.
Due to railways being added across the US, goods were able to travel faster and cheaper.
