Well, the US hardly jelled instantly. The first attempt at a national government was the "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union", first circulated in 1777, and ratified in 1781.
They didn't work very well, and a whole new Constitution was written starting in 1786, and ratified by enough states to put into effect in 1788.
MLF Lullaby was written & recorded by Tom Lehrer, btb... just to give credit to the author.