Uploaded October 2015 | Updated September 2026, 25 minutes ago
James Madison and American Constitutionalism, by Professor Jack N. Rakove, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, Stanford University. Professor Rakove analyzes James Madison’s impact on American constitutional thinking. Drawing upon his early political experiences, Madison shaped the deliberations at the Constitutional Convention. He came to appreciate the political efficacy of a Bill of Rights and consistently sought to balance state and federal power. Professor Rakove notes that Madison lived long enough to hear more questions raised about the Constitution and to anticipate the dissolution of the union he created.
American History Videos are sponsored by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. These videos are offered to help teachers, students and the general public learn more about America's founding and the Constitution of the United States. www.jamesmadison.gov.
0:00 Intro
0:33 Madison in the 1780's
5:26 Madison at the Convention
20:46 Madison in the 1790's
25:57 Madison and the Constitution
James Madison and American Constitutionalism, by Professor Jack N. Rakove, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, Stanford University. Professor Rakove analyzes James Madison’s impact on American constitutional thinking. Drawing upon his early political experiences, Madison shaped the deliberations at the Constitutional Convention. He came to appreciate the political efficacy of a Bill of Rights and consistently sought to balance state and federal power. Professor Rakove notes that Madison lived long enough to hear more questions raised about the Constitution and to anticipate the dissolution of the union he created.
American History Videos are sponsored by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. These videos are offered to help teachers, students and the general public learn more about America's founding and the Constitution of the United States. www.jamesmadison.gov.
0:00 Intro
0:33 Madison in the 1780's
5:26 Madison at the Convention
20:46 Madison in the 1790's
25:57 Madison and the Constitution
