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US Constitution through History

Series: US Constitution through History

4.4

(18)

Episodes

Rating

TVPG

Year

2022

Language

English

Publisher

The Great Courses

About

Unpack the ideas of America's founding and trace the evolution of those ideas through the schisms of the 19th century, the transformations of the 20th century, and into our present era.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. America's Founding Ideas

37m

America was born out of a group of ideas and a series of conflicts with England. Begin your course on the US Constitution with a look at the English tradition that underpins American law and the tensions with England that led to revolution.

2. Failures of Early American Governments

35m

When war broke out between England and the American colonies, the Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation, a loose framework by which the colonies could be governed as a nation-state. Reflect on the origins of this system, as well as its inability to deal with economic, military, and diplomatic crises of the day.

3. Dilemmas of the Constitutional Convention

34m

While America's original Articles of Confederation were an imperfect system, transforming the system with a new Constitution was a heavy lift. Delve into the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 to witness the high-stakes debates about a new national system of government.

4. The Ratification of the Constitution

35m

After the Philadelphia Convention approved the new Constitution, at least nine states needed to ratify it. Travel the new nation in the late 18th century to see how different states viewed a new federal government—and why so many states ultimately voted to ratify the Constitution.

5. The Bill of Rights as a Concession

34m

During the ratification process, many states complained that the Constitution did not include a Bill of Rights. A movement started to create amendments to protect individuals against governmental tyranny. Explore the role of James Madison and others in creating the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution.

6. The Rise of Federal Power: Hamilton's Bank

34m

The size and scope of the national government has been at the heart of American political debates for centuries—and this debate has been part of the country's dialogue since the beginning. Here, consider Alexander Hamilton's argument for the central bank's role in paying debts and setting the economic direction for the country.

7. Constitutional Issues of Westward Expansion

34m

The early republic's population grew quickly, approximately 35% every decade. This growth required more land—and more farms—which led to incredible expansion. Survey the constitutional issues surrounding American growth during the time of Thomas Jefferson, whose Louisiana Purchase set the tone for an expanding nation.

8. The Law of Slavery under the Constitution

35m

The US was founded on the principle that “all men are created equal,” but America has not always lived up to that ideal. How do we reconcile the aspirations of the Constitution with the travesty of slavery? What did the Framers and citizens in the 18th and 19th century think of slavery? Dive into the heart of the great American tension.

9. Constitutional Roots of Sectional Tensions

36m

Disagreement over slavery divided the country along sectional lines. In the infamous Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a person of African descent could not be a citizen. Dive into the rising tensions of the 19th century that culminated in secession and war.

10. Lincoln, Civil War, and the Constitution

36m

Although Abraham Lincoln was not elected as an abolitionist president, the era's tension between North and South boiled over into the Civil War shortly after his election. Here, reflect on the many constitutional questions posed by the war, from the right of habeas corpus to the legality (or illegality) of secession.

Extended Details

SeriesUS Constitution through History

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great CoursesDirector

The Great CoursesProducer

Eric BergerActor