What political traditions did the Framers draw upon as they wrote the Constitution and what innovations did they introduce into the political life of the nation?

Dr. Carol Berkin of Baruch College speaks on the crisis the delegates to the Constitutional Convention believed their new nation was facing, the personalities and backgrounds of these delegates, and the main issues and ideals that shaped the Constitution these men created.

John Lloyd of California State Polytechnic University examines important documents in U.S. history, including the U.S. Constitution and documents related to abolitionism and nullification, in order to establish a context for the Civil War.

Idaho State University Political Science Professor David Gray Adler examines what he describes as the great constitutional crisis of the day: the usurpation and abdication of constitutional roles by President and Congress. Building his argument on the concerns of the Framers, Dr. Adler points to the endangerment to liberty posed by the erosion of checks and balances.

Audio and video options are available.

Professor Gordon Lloyd looks at the Constitutional Convention and the debate over what form the new government and its constitution should take. He examines the Virginia Plan, the revised Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Hamilton Proposal.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session four, and select the RealAudio text or image in the gray bar to the left of the main body text.

Jack Rakove of Stanford University examines the creation and significance of the Bill of Rights, arguing that it is perhaps not as significant as popularly believed.

To listen to this lecture, select "The Bill of Rights" under "Listen to Dr. Rakove's lectures."

Professor Robin Einhorn looks at the 19th-century understanding of the Constitution and the changes that were made to it following the Civil War.

David Eisenhower of the Foreign Policy Research Institute considers the current necessity of approaching terrorism and the current war as teaching subjects, and looks at how national crises—such as 9/11—pose certain rhetorical and leadership demands on presidents, and how President Bush reacted to these demands.

Video and audio options are available.