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18th-Century Literature Videos 9 videos
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The Constitution of the United States is the highest law in the land: it's a written statement of the core principles of the American government. I...
Constitutional Convention 6086 Views
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Description:
In this video, you'll learn about the original Constitutional Convention and why our Founding Fathers felt it was necessary. Who would you invite to your own Constitutional Convention?
Transcript
- 00:08
Constitutional Convention, a la Shmoop.
- 00:11
After winning the Revolutionary War, early Americans feared that the US could turn into a monarchy.
- 00:17
That is, a country run by a big fat dictator called a king...
- 00:20
...just like the one we had fought a war to free ourselves from.
- 00:23
Our central government was very weak.
Full Transcript
- 00:26
People had different ideas about how things should be run...
- 00:31
...like what power would rest with the states,
- 00:33
and what power would lie with the federal government.
- 00:36
So, because our forefathers wanted this new nation of theirs to go swimmingly...
- 00:40
... all of the "smart" and "important" people were called together to write a Constitution.
- 00:46
This document set forth the fundamental rights and core principles of our nation...
- 00:50
And it was written in really pretty cursive.
- 00:53
For an 18th century document, it's pretty amazing how relevant the Constitution remains today.
- 01:02
Well, except for that part about the importance of forming militias...
- 01:06
...and the reference to African-Americans being three-fifths of a person...
- 01:09
...and -- well you get the picture... So... have we come a long way?
- 01:13
Are we ready for a new Constitutional Convention?
- 01:16
Should we once again call upon the best and brightest in our nation
- 01:20
to produce a document that states the principles that will guide our nation?
- 01:25
Okay -- homework time:
- 01:26
It's your job to pick the participants for this all-important gathering.
- 01:30
Who makes the cut? Your favorite teacher? Stephen Hawking? Chuck Norris?
- 01:36
Think about the qualities you want in your representatives.
- 01:38
What's really important? A big brain? A kind heart? A hot bod?
- 01:43
Do you want a smorgasbord? A policeman here, a construction worker there?
- 01:48
Or are you better off with just the most effective leaders...
- 01:51
...whether that's all politicians, all scientists... ... or you and your nine closest friends.
- 01:57
Who would be invited to attend your Constitutional Convention?
- 02:01
Shmoop amongst yourselves.
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