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American Ideals: Founding a "Republic of Virtue"

Trace the dominant features of the early American ethos that culminated in declaring independence and organizing the constitutional form of government unheralded in political history.
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Overview

In these carefully crafted dozen lectures, Professor Robinson traces the dominant features of the early American ethos that culminated in declared independence and a constitutional form of government unheralded in political history. The United States of America was, after all, the first nation ever to be created by persons whose names we know and on grounds developed through debate and deliberation.

About

Daniel N. Robinson

Developments in philosophy are chiefly in the form of greater clarity, an ever more refined sense of just what makes the problem problematic. If ignorance is not thereby totally overcome, at least it is exposed.

INSTITUTION

Philosophy Faculty, Oxford University; Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Georgetown University
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By This Professor

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The Colonists as Faithful Subjects

01: The Colonists as Faithful Subjects

In pamphlets and pulpits of the colonies, one is reminded of the close, even familial ties extending across an ocean, strengthened by customs and values shaped over centuries.

31 min
Colonial Constitutions and Their Inspiration

02: Colonial Constitutions and Their Inspiration

Trade between colonies and with Great Britain and other nations called for orderly procedures, as did governance of growing communities and steady influx of immigrants.

30 min
Who

03: Who "Founded" the United States?

As colonial constitutions were fashioned, the context within which deliberations and strategies were conducted was that of the Enlightenment. The United States was "founded" as much by ideas as by men.

30 min
Taxation Without Representation

04: Taxation Without Representation

The colonies had returned to the crown, over a period of years, revenues exceeding what was expected. What, then, was all the fuss about the Stamp Act, and why were 10 tons of Darjeeling sent to the bottom of Boston Harbor?

30 min
The Declaration of Independence

05: The Declaration of Independence

This document is the first of its kind: one that announces the creation of a new nation and the need to provide reasons for this precipitous measure. It is a veritable "text" on the manner in which political issues are to be understood.

30 min
The Royalist View of the Revolution

06: The Royalist View of the Revolution

In the colonies and Great Britain, the American Revolution was cast as a rebellion against the rule of law. This sheds light on colonial debates on political authority.

30 min
The Articles of Confederation

07: The Articles of Confederation

The "articles" were the product of danger and emergency; principles for joint action among the colonies for the express purpose of waging a war of independence.

30 min
The Constitution of the United States, Part 1

08: The Constitution of the United States, Part 1

In the brutally hot Philadelphia months, a diverse and argumentative assembly met for unclear purposes.

30 min
The Constitution of the United States, Part 2

09: The Constitution of the United States, Part 2

The "miracle" in Philadelphia was a great achievement of mind and will, accomplished through debate, the counsel of the wise, and the discipline of enlightened self interest.

30 min
Publius

10: Publius

The 85 Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay comprise detailed and analytical arguments for and against governance as envisaged by the Constitution.

30 min
With Liberty and Justice For All

11: With Liberty and Justice For All

Once set forth, the Bill of Rights simply underscored the evil of slavery. How did the founders understand this?

30 min
Paine and Burke

12: Paine and Burke

How Tom Paine and Edmund Burke saw the French and American Revolutions clarifies tensions and unique potentialities embedded in the new nation's ideals and institutions.

31 min

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