Federalism
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the tension inherent in the relationship between the United States federal government and the states. "American federalism is the emergence out of the origins of the country," Professor Bailyn explains...
Opposition to British Rule Grows
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about growing colonial opposition to British rule during the period from 1760-1776. Professor Bailyn describes it as, "...a buildup of apprehension, of fear that they were being subjected to a familiar kind ...
Property and Land Speculation (Part One)
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about land companies and the rampant speculation that went on during the colonial period.
Property and Land Speculation (Part Two)
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn continues his discussion of land speculation during the colonial period. Professor Bailyn explains that there were land speculation syndicates of all sizes. Benjamin Franklin was one of those involved with an espe...
Pre-Revolutionary War Surge of Immigration
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the two major forces at work during the fifteen years preceding the American Revolution. "One, of course, was the constitutional struggle with Britain was building up," Professor Bailyn says. "But the ...
Immigration: Challenges and Dangers
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the challenges that immigrants faced in coming to North America during the colonial period. Professor Bailyn explains that the transatlantic voyage was always unpredictable. Diseases were a problem in ...
Eighteenth Century Migration to America
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about eighteenth century migration to North America, which he describes as being very different from the migration of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, in which immigrants from small villages or ...
Successors to George Washington
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn analyzes the abilities of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who served as the third and fourth U.S. presidents respectively. Professor Bailyn explains that Jefferson was a good administrator and an excellent pol...
Ratification Debate, The
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about the importance of the ratification debate for the eventual success of the United States Constitution. "Once it was clear that there would be amendments to it that would carry the principles of the Anti...
Rising Tide of Opposition, A
Historian and author Bernard Bailyn talks about why the British were not successful in overcoming American resistance in the early part of the Revolutionary War. He credits George Washington for his military leadership and also acknowledges the impo...