Synopsis
America: 4--Inventing a Nation "The American Constitution, said 19th century British statesman William Gladstone, is 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' At Philadelphia's Independence Hall, host Alistair Cooke recalls the writing and ratification of the document, focusing on the conflict over Federal and state powers. Two prime antogonists: Hamilton and Madison. Judicial interpretations of the Constitution key Cooke's tour of the old Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. At Monticello (Va.) he profiles 'the missing giant of the Constitutional Convention,' Thomas Jefferson"--TV guide. Pictures a decade during which the Constitution was drawn up./Describes the secret Independence Hall debates involving Hamilton, Mason and Madison, setting precedents for modern politics.
Synopsis, reviewed
Details
- Running time
- 26 minutes
- Collection
- Educational Films, Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Series: America: A Personal History of the U.S (1972-3)
- American Colonies
- United States (1783-1859)