Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

As a teenager, he dropped out of college and served in the in the 3rd Virginia Regiment in the Continental Army.  After studying law under Thomas Jefferson, he later served in the Virginia House of Delegates, as the US Ambassador to France and England, as governor of Virginia, as the Secretary of War and then Secretary of State. Finally, in March 1817, James Monroe became our country's 5th Preside...

Every now and then a government does something that goes just a bit too far and causes the people to protest.  One such example was the British imposition of the Stamp Act on the American Colonies.  What was the Stamp Act?  What was the so-called justification for it?  What was the reaction from the Americans?  To help us tackle this important event that helped usher in a growing anti-monarchy sen...

Statesman.  Author.  President of the United States.  Perhaps no one's words best embodied the ethos of the Founding Fathers quite like Thomas Jefferson.  At Constituting America, we feel what he wrote in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago makes it one of the  world's greatest documents of freedom ever written.  To help us better understand Jefferson and his extraordinary enduring legac...

A foundational principle that distinguished and continues to distinguish our country from most other governments in the world is that our government exists by the "consent of the governed."  Why was this idea so paramount to the establishment of our republic, and what is its origin?  From Aristotle to Locke, we see the genesis of this idea that was at the core of the American Revolution and contin...

The women who contributed to the founding of our country  are often overlooked.  Their accomplishments played a vital role in the fledgling nation.  One such woman is Abigail Adams.  While we can never have a direct conversation with this remarkable woman, we are fortunate that she wrote thousands upon thousands of letters to various correspondents, including over 1,100 letters to her husband whil...

"Give me liberty or give me death."  That singular line proclaimed by Patrick Henry defined our country's founding generation and has become one of the most famous lines in American history.  In just 7 words, the ethos of our country and our fierce loyalty to liberty was promulgated.  In our chat today, we discuss the events leading up to this famous line and its subsequent impact in our country's...

In recognition of St. Patrick's Day this year, Constituting America is recognizing the role the Irish played in the founding of our country.  Did you know 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Irish-born?  Or a sizeable proportion of the Continental Army had Irish ancestry?  Since our founding, 23 US Presidents have had Irish blood.  To help us recognize the  impact the Irish people ha...

Due to its position as the 13th American Colony as well as the last colony to support the American Revolution, the role Georgia played in the founding of our country is often overshadowed by colonies like Virginia and Massachusetts.  But Georgia should not be overlooked.  To shed light on the role Georgia played and its historical significance in the American Revolution and our country's founding,...

A war is a series of battles won.  The American Revolution is no different.  For the colonies and George Washington to beat the larger British military force, individual battles had to be fought.  One victory won by the Patriots early on, did not involve a direct battle.   The Fortification of Dorchester Heights, and the subsequent British Evacuation of Boston, exemplifies the early genius of Gene...

We all know the Americans won the American Revolution.  But have you stopped to wonder how exactly our smaller army beat the larger professional army of the British and how the series of battles unfolded that led to the eventual British surrender?  On our chat today, we are discussing one of those monumental events-North Carolina's Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge-and its impact on the outcome of th...

It is that time of year where celebrate the birthday of General George Washington!  Each year around this time our podcast pays tribute to the man Major General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III eulogized as "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."     This year, we focus on Washington's Farewell Address, an incredible example of his oratorical skills and a bluepr...

For 250 years, a debate has carried on over the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. To enlighten us on his new book: "Divided Over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America," we welcome author Tony Williams!

Through no fault of any of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, some signers are better known than others.  Some are familiar household names while others are a bit more obscure.  One of the lesser-known signers is the subject of our chat this week.  Abraham Clark was a lawyer from New Jersey who signed the Declaration but also served two terms in the United States House of Represent...

When one looks at the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, among the soaring prose and clear indictment against the British crown, one name stands out from the others: John Hancock.   Clearly, we know he was a Founding Father and most know he was the first to sign the great document.   But beyond that, he is one of the least studied of the Founders.   Today, we change that.   To help in...

Perhaps there is no greater archetype of the American Dream than Benjamin Franklin in the founding generation.   A printer's apprentice, he rose to become a writer, statesman and scientist.   Along the way, he helped draft and sign the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution and became our country's first postmaster general and served as an ambassador to France.   As we celebrate ou...

Our country is built on a great library of extraordinary documents that framed our new republic in its infancy.   Constituting America always delights in discussing these works.   In that spirit, today we are discussing Thomas Paine's seminal work, "Common Sense."   How did the English-born Paine become such an ardent supporter of American independence and what role did his work have in pushing us...

Compared to modern record keeping, not all of the details surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence are known.   Case in point, although we know the date, we do not know the specific time of day when it passed and was signed.   Other questions remain such as who offered what changes and were they incorporated in Jefferson's final draft?   But what we do know is the long-lasting im...

Washington.   Adams.   Jefferson.   Madison.   Hamilton.   There are certain Founding Fathers with whom are all very familiar.   But there are also those who are less well-known but not less important.   John Witherspoon is one such historical figure.   Our guest today is Jeffry Morrison, Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University and Director of Academics at the federal gover...

A rising concern over the last few years has been the purchase of American land by companies and organizations linked to the Chinese government.   Similarly, the trade-focused relationship between the United States and China has been brought into focus as an examination of the cost-benefit analysis. Is this a legitimate rising concern?   What can be done to secure our land and alleviate those conc...

A rising concern over the last few years has been the purchase of American land by companies and organizations linked to the Chinese government.   Similarly, the trade-focused relationship between the United States and China has been brought into focus as an examination of the cost-benefit analysis. Is this a legitimate rising concern?   What can be done to secure our land and alleviate those conc...

At over 200 years old, the Monroe Doctrine is one of the longest lasting attempts to craft foreign policy for our country.   Declared in 1823 by President James Monroe, it laid the framework for the relationship between the United States and the Western Hemisphere.   But why was it so important?   What details did it address?   How is it relevant today and is it actually enforced?   To discuss thi...

It's one of the most famous presidential speeches in United States history.   It's also likely the shortest but its length in no way limits its massive historic significance.   President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.   As we celebrate this speech's 162nd anniversary, we are delighted to have Dr. Jon Schaff, Professor of Government/Director of the Center for...

Most of us are familiar with the heroes of the American Revolution like George Washington, John Paul Jones and Alexander Hamilton.   But there are so many brave war heroes who risked everything to win our country's independence.   Today, we celebrate those lesser-known, but by no means less-important, historical figures.   Our guest is a long-time friend to Constituting America.   Tom Hand will di...

Did you know the post office is older than our country?   The history of the United States Post Office is fascinating and is an excellent reminder of the need for fast communication across the nation before the modern era of instant global communication.   As we celebrate the birthday of the post office, who better to talk us through the history of the post office, including which Founding Father...

They each brought a different skill set to the table.   Some were born to lead armies.   Some were born to pen the spirit of the new country on paper.   Some were born to build foreign relations.   Their skill sets were all needed and their lasting legacy defines American Exceptionalism.   Today we are discussing the virtues of the Founding Fathers and how their virtues culminated in the American...