Provides an account of major events in the creation of the democratic process in the U.S. government, describing key people involved such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison, discussing the impact of the democratic process on the history and development of the United States.

Setting the scene: the heart of democracy -- Start-up democracy -- Power to the people -- Protecting individual liberties -- Challenges to democracy -- Map of events -- What happened where? -- The story continues of the people, by the people, for the people -- Influential individuals -- Timeline -- Living history -- Resources -- Glossary.