The Great Debate: Advocates and Opponents of the American Constitution

By: Thomas L. Pangle, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Thomas L. Pangle

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Its authority and stature are routinely invoked by voices from every point on the political spectrum, with frequent references to the Founding Fathers and their true "intent." What really was their true intent?

As these 12 surprising lectures show, many of those Founding Fathers - including Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry - were highly critical of the new Constitution and staunchly opposed it when it was first put forth for ratification by the states as a replacement for the Articles of Confederation.

The debate over the Constitution raged for the better part of two years, and beneath its rhetorical flourishes lay not only the longest and most profound civic argument in our nation's history, but also a civics lesson that deserves to endure for all time. It was an argument that would result not only in the ratification of the Constitution, but also in what that Constitution would become.

Professor Pangle takes you into this debate. You'll see which Founders opposed the new Constitution, which Founders led the battle for it, and how both sides helped define the result. In an era when contemporary arguments on the national stage so often mirror the same conflicts debated by the Founders, our own reenactment of that original debate can enrich our ability to be active and participating citizens.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2007 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2007 The Great Courses

Instead of having fun and seeing 'Hamilton,' this

The Founders of the Republic apparently wanted to start a nation built like Classical Rome or Athens. But they debated: how much power to grant to the farming classes? The individual States? The Federal Government? Hamilton wanted a strong central Government to make certain Americans paid our debts and could mount a strong national defense. James Madison, also a Federalist, felt that people their Institutions, and even branches of government needed to have their worst impulses checked and balanced. Their ideas produced the American Constitution and 200+ years of passionate debate about Freedom, Liberty, Security, National Identity, and Politics.

More Things I Wasn’t Taught in School

The professor lays out things that were only ever hinted at before to me, and does so thoroughly and concisely. This is a public service.

Great comparison of federalist and anti-federalist

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The lecture is a great break down between the federalist papers and the anti-federalist papers. Explains why the confederation was a bad idea because of lack of central power.

Great

I really enjoyed this as someone who is ignorant of the facts behind the myths of America, it's founding fathers and the constitution. it is an excellent course and sheds light on some longstanding issues with the US government.

Love the Great Courses with a really strong coverage on Constitution

With all of today’s political discourse regarding The Constitution it was interesting and informative to follow the discourse on the debate at the time. I would encourage all to listen to this. A believe I got it from Audible plus catalog. I’m not sure if still free but if not worth the credit.

Excellent Class

Pangle does an excellent job bringing the class face to face with the problems that confronted the nation once the Constitution is written. The class also explores issues that arise after the founding. The class is short, but there is a good bit of information in it.

Enjoy.

Thought-provoking; challenges conventional wisdom

I thought that I knew a lot about the Constitutional Convention, ratification, etc. Pangle added a whole new dimension to my knowledge. He is much more charitable toward the anti-Federalists than most historians. He got me to see them in a different light.

Excellent!!!

Short but concise. This is an amazing look at the Constitution and the way the framers thought of it, both for and against. I think this is a pivotal and essential course.

Deep dive into a great debate

Definitely worth a listen if you're interested in this topic. There's a really good back and forth between the federalist and anti-federalist's culminating in the constitution, separation of powers, and finally, the Bill of Rights.

Enjoyed the Presentation

Enjoyed the course on the Constitution!!! Love getting a deep understanding of the constitution