Creating a Nation - The American Revolution and Constitutional Debates

Explore the national debate surrounding the proposed Constitution in this 41-minute lecture from Yale University's American Revolution course. Delve into the consequences and meaning of the Revolution as Americans argued over ratification. Examine fears that a stronger, centralized government might threaten hard-won rights and liberties. Analyze the Federalist essays as a response to Anti-Federalist criticism. Learn about the Anti-Federalists' successful push for a Bill of Rights. Discover how both sides ultimately agreed to experiment with republican government. Gain insights into exchanges between Jefferson and Madison, Ezra Stiles's diary entries, and debates on the balance of power between Anti-Federalists and Federalists.

- Chapter 1. Introduction: Creating a Nation
.
- Chapter 2. Difficulties in Ratifying the Constitution: Exchanges between Jefferson and Madison, and Ezra Stiles's Diary
.
- Chapter 3. Debates on Balance of Power between Anti-Federalists and Federalists
.
- Chapter 4. In Defense of the Constitution: The Federalist Essays
.
- Chapter 5. The Anti-Federalists' Push for Bill of Rights
.
- Chapter 6. General Consensus on Experimenting with Republican Government and Conclusion
.