Vision for a Nation: Testing the Design of the Constitution
The first election under the Constitution is scheduled for the early months of 1789. The newly-elected Congress, says historian Bernard Bailyn, is a "creative force in our constitutional life" for two reasons: the Bill of Rights, submitted to the Ho...
Vision for a Nation: Controlling Federal Power
Historian Bernard Bailyn characterizes the construction of the Constitution as "something of a miracle." Delegates to the Constitutional Convention create a system for governing the country's large geographic area while maintaining the ideals of ind...
British Struggle For Control, The
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the increasing difficulty the British government experienced in trying to exert control over North America in the years leading up to Revolutionary War.
Vision for a Nation: Delegates Gather for Constitutional Convention
By the mid 1780s, the United States is a young nation in trouble. It is impossible to get all 13 states to agree on issues of national policy. Even the Annapolis convention to modify the Articles of Confederation fails to attract enough delegates. A...
Vision for a Nation: States Consider Constitutional Ratification
On September 17, 1787 thirty-nine delegates sign their names to the Constitution of the United States. All but one of the states hold ratifying conventions in which more than 1200 people examine the details and the principles of the document. Federa...
A New Nation: Dangers and Challenges
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about some of the most significant challenges facing the newly formed United States, including concerns that the Constitution wouldn't work, and fears that the federal government's power might be excessive.
A Young Nation Moves Forward
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about some of the key challenges the young United States faced in its early years. Among the most pressing was growing the economy to keep pace with the rapidly expanding population. Other challenges include...
Vision for a Nation: Debate over Representation
A major challenge for the delegates is how to devise a system of representation that will work effectively over country of such vast size. There is no model to follow in the 18th century. Madison and other large-state delegates want representation i...
Vision for a Nation: Power Struggle Between Federalists and Republicans
For twelve years, control of the new government remains firmly in the hands of the Federalists, but gaining strength in the 1790s is a group that favors a more modest central government. Both points of view are represented in Washington's cabinet. A...
American Experiment, The: Challenge of Creating a Central Government, The
The Framers of the Constitution faced an enormous challenge, trying to create a government with sufficient central power to govern a vast territory and yet make it compatible with individual liberties. It was decided by a committee of the whole to c...