Makematic
Constitutional Convention
From the Albany Congress to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, this timeline explores the critical events that shaped the creation of the United States Constitution.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Rights After Independence Pt. 12: Federalism
One of the most important innovations in government to arise from the Philadelphia Convention was federalism.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Key Challenges Pt. 10: Civil Discourse in 1787
On today's podcast, we learn why compromise was important to the Constitutional Convention. This episode originally aired in January 2012.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Great Compromise Saves the Convention
The Great Compromise passed by a single vote. Each side had to give up something to make the compromise work.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Greatest Blunder of the Philadelphia Convention
What was the greatest blunder of the Philadelphia Convention? Find out what some historians think about it on this podcast. [1:02]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Influential James Madison
How did a small man with a weak voice become so influential at the Philadelphia Convention? [59]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Most Active Delegate
James Madison was extremely active at the Philadelphia Convention, giving more than 160 speeches and serving as the convention's unofficial secretary. [55 mins.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Washington
How much to you know about George Washington? Brush up on your knowledge with this podcast. [1:24]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: James Madison
James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution. Do you know why? Madison was a delegate from Virginia in the development of the Constitution. [1 min. 23 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Edmund Randolph
Edmund Randolph, son of a Loyalist, was a delegate from Virginia. This Framer refused to sign the Constitution, but then supported its ratification. [1 min. 21 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: James Mc Clurg
James McClurg was an accomplished Virginia doctor; at the Philadelphia Convention, he argued for a life term of office for the president. [1 min. 7 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Wythe
George Wythe was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but didn't sign the Constitution, but he worked to get it ratified. He lived to age 80, but was probably poisoned by a relative. [1 min. 9 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Samuel Johnson
William Samuel Johnson tried to be a peacemaker during the Revolution. Failing at that, he served as a delegate from Connecticut and helped write the Constitution. [1 min. 4 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Richard Bassett
Richard Bassett was a man of accomplishment, like so many of his contemporaries at the Philadelphia Convention. Bassett represented Delaware at the convention. [1 min. 2 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: John Dickinson
John Dickinson had a large role in Revolution-era America. He had strongly opposed British taxation and helped write the Articles of Confederation and Constitution. [1 min. 15 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Read
George Read supported "dignified" protests against the British, but did not sign the Declaration. He argued for ratification of the Constitution as a delegate from Delaware. [1 min. 15 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Abraham Baldwin
Abraham Baldwin was a founder of the University of Georgia and a Framer of the Constitution. He represented Georgia at the Philadelphia Convention. [1 min. 3 sec.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Few
The British forced his family to flee to Georgia, but William Few became one of the state's first senators.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Houston
This Framer of the Constitution was criticized as having little or no legal or political knowledge. He was one of the first trustees at the University of Georgia and represented Georgia at the Philadelphia Convention. [58 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Pierce
William Pierce served in the Revolutionary War and helped frame the Constitution, but is best known for his descriptions of other delegates. He was a delegate for Georgia [1 min. 1 sec.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Daniel Carroll
One of the two Catholic signers of the Constitution, Daniel Carroll campaigned for ratification in Maryland. [1 min. 5 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention from Maryland. He supported the positions of James Madison and favored a strong national government. [53 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Luther Martin
Luther Martin did not sign the Constitution because he could not gain enough support for ideas he thought were important. Nevertheless, Martin favored a bill of rights, which was eventually adopted. [1 min. 17 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: James Mc Henry
James McHenry was born in Ireland in 1753. He acceded to positions of authority in Maryland and in the national government. [1 min. 2 secs.]