Constitution Origins and the Founding Vision

In this episodeof Historical: Lest We Forget, we explore the Constitution origins and their lasting impact on the U.S. government with host Lillian Cauldwell who explores the turbulent origins of the United States Constitution and the visionaries who shaped it.

The story begins in 1787, a time when the fledgling nation teetered on the edge of collapse. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington recognized that the existing framework—the Articles of Confederation—was failing. Though the Articles granted the Confederation Congress authority to make rules and request funds from the states, it lacked the power to enforce decisions, regulate commerce, or issue currency.

Disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade created deep divisions among the states, threatening to unravel the union. In response, Alexander Hamilton persuaded Congress to convene a Grand Convention of state delegates in Philadelphia. Their mission: to revise the Articles. What emerged instead was a bold new blueprint for governance—the Constitution of the United States.

🎵 Listen to the audio with Lillian Cauldwell on the Constiution: Click here to listen…

Resource:
The Constitution: How Did it Happen? | National Archives