In this Episode:

• The  development of the Judicial Branch in the Constitutional Convention.
• Should the Judicial Branch be combined with the Executive Branch?
• A description of the Judicial Branch in Article III and Federalist Papers.
• The Judiciary Act of 1789 and Congress’ roll in forming the Judicial Branch.
• Details on the original courts.
• A discussion on the evolution of the courts today, foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson.

In this Episode:

• The debate over the Executive Branch.
• Should there be one executive or a council of executives?
• Debates over terms, length of service and the executives relationship to the Congress.
• A discussion on the Electoral College and its roll in the 1800 and 2000 Presidential Elections.
• The eventual formation of Article II of the Constitution.

In this Episode:

• The battle over representation nears a compromise.
• Oliver Ellsworth reintroduces Roger Sherman’s “Connecticut Compromise.”
• Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer misses the vote, thus allowing Maryland to support the small states men.
• Georgia also splits their vote on account of Abraham Baldwin.
• The Gerry Committee is formed largely with small state sympathizers.
• The committee affirms equal representation in the Senate, but proportional in the House along with money bills originating in the House.
• These concessions permit the small state men to be open to other large state proposals.

In this Episode:

• The debate continues between the small state men favoring equal representation and the large state men favoring proportional representation.
• Tensions reach a critical mass.
• Benjamin Franklin calls for prayer before each session.
• Were the Founding Fathers deists?
• The men from Connecticut prepare to propose a compromise.
• The delegates end June in despair, almost ready to concede that an agreement could not be reached.

In this Episode:

• Alexander Hamilton proposes a radical centralized government based on Great Britain’s system.
• Even his close friend James Madison is amazed by Hamilton’s outlandish proposal.
• The debate over representation continues to prevent substantive progress.
• A profile of Luther Martin, a man who spoke a great lengths but rarely contributed anything of substance.

In this Episode:

• Resuming the events taking place in Independence Hall.
• Summary of the large state advantage.
• Brief biography of William Paterson.
• William Paterson proposes New Jersey plan for small states to rally behind.
• The large states respond.

In this Episode:

• Edmund Randolph introduces the Virginia Plan, an effort to increase the strength of the national government
• At the center of the Virginia Plan was Proportional Representation, a concept widely supported by the delegates from the large states.
• The small state delegates react negatively to any change.  They enjoyed Equal Representation under the Articles of Confederation.
• Intense debate over representation divides the convention.
• The large states dominate but push too far as the small states begin to push back.

In this Episode:

• The beginning of the Constitutional Convention.
• George Washington presides over the Convention.
• James Madison keeps detailed notes of each day’s happenings.
• Delaware asserts the rights of small states while reading state’s instructions.
• The Rules of the Convention are laid down.
• Large state delegates come to the Convention better prepared.

In this Episode:

• A short look at the 55 delegates, part 2.
• Delegates from New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina.
• Notable convention absences.

In this Episode:

• The city of Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention.
• An overview of the Constitutional Convention delegates.
• Notable Constitutional Convention absences.
• A short look at the 55 delegates, part 1.
• Delegates from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware.

In this Episode:

• James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, Part I.
• Madison’s formative years.
• Madison’s study of republics and his criticism of the Articles of Confederation.
• Madison’s notes on the Constitution.
• Madison’s role in the Federalist Papers.
• Madison, his home state of Virginia and his dealings with rival Patrick Henry.