Uploaded October 2015 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
James Madison in the 1790s, by Professor Jack N. Rakove. This short video examines the “Madison problem”: Did the nationalist of the 1780’s become an ardent supporter of strong states in the 1790’s? Professor Jack Rakove explains that Madison consistently sought to balance the powers of the states and the federal government. In the 1780’s, the weak government under the Articles needed to be strengthened by the Constitution while in the 1790’s, the strong government under the Federalists needed to be checked by the states asserting their powers.
Professor Jack N. Rakove, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, Stanford University.
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.
James Madison in the 1790s, by Professor Jack N. Rakove. This short video examines the “Madison problem”: Did the nationalist of the 1780’s become an ardent supporter of strong states in the 1790’s? Professor Jack Rakove explains that Madison consistently sought to balance the powers of the states and the federal government. In the 1780’s, the weak government under the Articles needed to be strengthened by the Constitution while in the 1790’s, the strong government under the Federalists needed to be checked by the states asserting their powers.
Professor Jack N. Rakove, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, Stanford University.
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.
