The US Constitution Through History

By: Eric Berger, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Eric Berger

When a group of former colonial rebels met at the Constitutional Convention, they knew they wanted to fix their broken government without recreating the English tyranny that had haunted them for decades. But were they prepared to create a brand-new system of government, the likes of which the world had never seen?

The ideas on which the United States is founded are rich and diverse—and sometimes in tension with one another. Since our early history, Americans have sought to clarify those ideas and resolve those tensions through the Constitution, as well as the intricate body of law, traditions, and norms that have come to comprise our constitutional heritage.

The history of the Constitution is therefore a history of ideas that define our country and our national identity—and it’s a fascinating and revealing story.

The US Constitution Through History gives you the opportunity to explore the story of this powerful document, as well as the way our interpretation of it has evolved. In 24 riveting lectures, Professor Eric Berger of the University of Nebraska takes you on a journey through America’s constitutional history. He takes you inside the minds of the Framers and unpacks the ideas that led to the break from England. He then traces the evolution of those ideas through the schisms of the 19th century, the transformations of the 20th century, to our present era. To understand the United States today, we must understand how it has shaped and been shaped by this founding document that Americans have so long revered.

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Blown away!

I went into this knowing the material can be a bit dry, but I was blown away by how riveting it was. So much information that wasn't given in public school nor college.
Truly enlightening and awakening, especially around how minorities and how long it has taken since the end of slavery to the soft of end of slavery we have today.

Great course and excellent reader

I found this an excellent course. Lots of content but the reader keeps it interesting, I think he strikes the right balance between technicality of constitutional law and the need to cater to a broad audience.

Fabulous

I enjoyed this immensely even though I was after outraged at so many things in the past of the US. Learned more from this than any class I have taken

Useful

Helps illuminate our current struggles in the context of history. It also sheds light on the current trends in our democracy, which are very worrying.

In trying to be unbiased, his biases are glaring.

I would like to hear his apology and correction now that proof of the people behind the collusion and insurrection attacks have been outed.