Uploaded February 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
The American Revolution, by Professor Jack N. Rakove. Professor Jack N. Rakove thoughtfully and succinctly analyzes the causes, events, and impact of the American Revolution. Theoretical discussions about the nature of political authority in the early 1760’s ultimately evolved into violent conflict and civil war in 1775. Yet, Professor Rakove concludes that the revolutionary forces unleashed by events like the Boston Tea Party and individuals like Thomas Hutchinson ultimately resulted in the US Constitution, reflective of a profound transformation in the nature of political authority.
Professor Jack N. Rakove is the W.R. Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science at Stanford University. Professor Rakove was awarded the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for History for his book, "Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution."
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
4:57 The American Revolution
9:25 The Tea Act
16:09 The Constitution
21:16 Loyalists
The American Revolution, by Professor Jack N. Rakove. Professor Jack N. Rakove thoughtfully and succinctly analyzes the causes, events, and impact of the American Revolution. Theoretical discussions about the nature of political authority in the early 1760’s ultimately evolved into violent conflict and civil war in 1775. Yet, Professor Rakove concludes that the revolutionary forces unleashed by events like the Boston Tea Party and individuals like Thomas Hutchinson ultimately resulted in the US Constitution, reflective of a profound transformation in the nature of political authority.
Professor Jack N. Rakove is the W.R. Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science at Stanford University. Professor Rakove was awarded the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for History for his book, "Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution."
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
4:57 The American Revolution
9:25 The Tea Act
16:09 The Constitution
21:16 Loyalists
