Why did the framers of the Constitution think government was necessary after winning independence from Britain? They had been called to fix the Articles of Confederation, an ineffective “league of friendship” between the 13 state governments. Historically, national governments tend to develop this way, building in piecemeal fashion from what had existed before. Over time, politicians from all sides have argued that expanding national and state governments will also generate better economic, social and private freedoms. The ongoing transformation of the U.S. Constitution into a better reflection of its ideals throughout the nation’s 250-year history continues this legacy.