Liberty 1 – Introduction (1:52)

Liberty! The American Revolution: Are We to Be a Nation?

Reveals the new challenges confronting the victorious colonies after the Revolutionary War: bankruptcy, squabbles between states, and no national army, common currency, or government strong enough to resolve problems. The program follows the revision of the Articles of Confederation and the creation of a new Constitution, complete with a Bill of Rights.

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Liberty 2 – Thirteen Little Republics (4:53)

John Trumbull's "Washington Resigning His Commission."

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Only The Beginning

“There is nothing more common than to confound [confuse] the terms of the American Revolution with those of the late American war. The American war is over: but that is far from the case with the American Revolution. On the contrary, nothing but the first act of that great drama is closed.”

~Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence

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“In 1783, the Americans had very little sense of national identity. If you read the Declaration of Independence, our founding document, carefully, you’ll notice that the “u” is lower-cased. This meant they were a series of independent states that were temporarily united.”

~Ronald Hoffman, Director, Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture

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Liberty 3 – A National Vision (4:54)

Alexander Hamilton

Noah Webster

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The Problem of Becoming "One“

Although Benjamin Franklin proposed "We are One" as one of the mottos to be printed on Continental Currency in 1776 and designed a logo of interlocking rings to reinforce his message, it was not an easy matter for the thirteen original colonies to come together in the Revolutionary War or even to be unified after independence.

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During the Revolutionary War states issued their own currencies as well. This fifty dollar note from South Carolina makes no mention of God, and in fact has an image from Greek mythology on the back of the note, depicting Atlas. The motto in Latin on the front of the bill reads: "Let foresight guide our people." 

The back of this ninety dollar South Carolina note depicts Hercules wrestling a lion.

One-half of a Georgia Colonial "two fifths of a dollar".

Massachusetts 12-pence.

Early state currencies illustrate the strength of the states and the weakness of the federal government.

Delaware Colonial Currency

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Liberty 4 – All Is Not Well (5:26)

The painting shows the Massachusetts "Regulators", Shays is seen sitting in front with his hat off.

Men Fighting During Shays's Rebellion

Shays’s Rebellion

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Shays' failed attempt to capture an arsenal ends in bloodshed.  Although it was put down, Shays' Rebellion convinced many throughout the states that the new nation, under the weak Articles of Confederation, may not be capable of calm self-governance. #9

“ The consequences of . . . [an] inefficient government are too obvious to be dwelt upon. Thirteen sovereignties pulling against each other, and all tugging at the federal head will soon bring ruin on the whole. . . .

Let us have [government] by which our lives, liberty, and property will be secured or let us know the worst at once.”

~George Washington

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THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS CONVENEDMeeting at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 55 delegates from all the states except Rhode Island, met to rework the failing Articles of Confederation. It quickly became apparent that amending the articles was unworkable and discussion soon turned to replacing them with a new government. 

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Liberty 5 – The Constitutional Convention (3:46)

James Madison#12

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Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Liberty 6 – Behind Closed Doors (2:40)

Many of our greatest founding fathers attended the convention as delegates from their respective states. George Washington (elected president of the convention), Ben Franklin, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton (a strong contributor and delegate from New York) all were in attendance.Despite the greatness in leadership, the crafting of a new constitution proved a long and difficult task. Regional, political and economic differences threatened to jeopardize the process. It was only by carefully crafted compromise that a final document was achieved.

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Liberty 7 – A Blueprint for a New Nation (3:18)

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THE GREAT COMPROMISE:One of the first issues to be resolved was representation to the new government. The Articles of Confederation had allowed each state equal representation and equal say, despite size or population and this did not sit well with the largest states (Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania). The smaller states feared losing say in the federal government and so continued to support equality in representation.

The Great Compromise (2:03)

William Paterson James Madison

Roger Sherman#16

THE 3/5ths COMPROMISE:A fundamental economic and social division began to erupt over the issue of slavery. The southern, agriculturally based states relied heavily on slavery and slaves constituted a significant portion of their populations. The northern states opposed counting slaves for representation in government because they were not citizens and their population could easily be increased, tipping control of the federal legislature to the southern states.

Debating Proportional Representation (3:25)

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THE TRADE (COMMERCE) COMPROMISE:Again a regional disagreement arose, in this case over the issue of trade and its regulation. The northern, more industrial states saw the regulation of trade by the federal government as essential to the smooth working of a national economy. The southern states feared regulation of trade would not only threaten the sale of slaves, but also the essential export of their agricultural products (chiefly cotton and tobacco).

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THE PRESIDENCY COMPROMISE:Nearly all of the delegates could agree on the need for a president, to serve as a central figure and executive of the new nation. The disagreement arose over the power and service of such an office. Some delegates, fearing the rise of king-like president advocated for a weak official, who would be limited to a single one-year term. Others argued the need for a powerful figure who would be elected, but serve for life. Debates also raged about how best to elect the president and what role the people of the nation should serve in his selection.

Liberty 8 – Not Another Monarchy (2:22)

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RATIFICATION DEBATES:Immediately following the Constitutional Convention the delegates to Philadelphia brought the newly crafted Constitution to their home states for ratification (or approval). Most states held special ratification conventions, with elected officials representing counties or regions throughout the state. The New York ratifying convention was held in the city of Poughkeepsie.While many of the smaller states quickly ratified the new Constitution, the debate in the two largest and most important states, New York and Virginia, raged on for months. The debate in New York was particularly divisive. The Constitutional supporters, the Federalists, took the debate into the public forum of the press, publishing a series of pro-ratification essays collectively known as the Federalist Papers. While the Federalist Papers were simply signed "Publius" they were the work of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay and they still stand today as some of the greatest commentary on the meaning and intent of the Constitution's chief authors.The Anti-Federalist opposition to ratification was strong and while all of the states eventually accepted the new government, states such as Virginia and Massachusetts did so only after attaching recommendations concerning the addition of a Bill of Rights. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution were added soon after ratification and became the U.S. Bill of Rights and stand as the Anti-Federalists greatest contribution to the Constitution they so opposed.

Liberty 9 – How Do We Protect Our New Liberty (4:15)

Liberty 10 – Compromise & Approval (5:05)

James Madison

John Jay

Alexander HamiltonPatrick Henry

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“ I like much the general idea of framing a government, which should go on of itself, peaceably, without needing continual recurrence to the State legislatures. . . . I will now tell you what I do not like. First, the omission of a bill of rights. . . . Let me add, that a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular; and what no just government should refuse. . . .”

—Thomas Jefferson’s letter to James Madison from Paris, December 20, 1787

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Delaware Becomes The First State - State Ratification Convention at Battell's Tavern December, 1787

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Ratification Celebration in New York. A parade was held in New York City in July 1788 to celebrate the state's ratification of the Constitution. The floats included the federal ship Hamilton, which was drawn on a flatbed cart. ©BETTMANN/CORBIS.#24

Liberty 11 – Bill of Rights (1:19)

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Liberty 12 – The Question of Slavery (2:17)

A painting for the 200th anniversay of the U.S. Constitution. The artist saw George Washington in a dream signing the Constitution. He being President of the Constitutional Convention was the first to sign. Madison and Hamilton authors of the Fedralist papers flank him. The images behind them represent the people of all nationalities yet to come seeking the opportunity that freedom will afford them thru the Constitution.

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Liberty 13 – A New Kind of Power (4:06)

George Washington's inauguration as the first president of the United States took place on April 30, 1789. The inauguration, held at Federal Hall in New York City #27