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Reading Videos 68 videos

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Constitutional Convention 6085 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?

Language:
English Language

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.

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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