How to Build a Nation in 15 Weeks

Latest Episodes:

Reconstruction: 13th Amendment Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

We review the history of resistance by enslaved people in the United States, and how the Civil War changed things, leading to widespread self-emancipation. We then talk about the intended scope of the amendment, its passage through moral arguments, solidarity, bribery, and self-interested political calculation, and conclude by discussing how the Supreme Court has narrowed its self-executing provisions while leaving room for more expansive legislation.

Participants: Harry Sandick, Jon Hatch

Prelude to Reconstruction: Harper's Ferry through the Corwin Amendment Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

John Brown leads a raid on Harper's Ferry and becomes a martyr. The Republicans prepare for their first real shot at the presidency. The Democratic convention disintegrates, the Northern and Southern wings propose competing candidates, and the Deep South prepares for its exit. Lincoln is elected, Southern states secede, and Thomas "Wagon Boy" Corwin tries for one last compromise. The North moves toward abolition as a way to win the war.

Participants: Harry Sandick, Jon Hatch, Leigh Barnwell

Prelude to Reconstruction - Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 through Dred Scott Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

In the wake of Prigg, Congress passes its worst law. Abolitionists debate whether the Constitution is pro-slavery, anti-slavery, or neutral. For love of a railroad, Stephen Douglas blows up the Missouri Compromise, and a preview of the Civil War breaks out in Kansas. The Republican Party coalesces out of disparate opponents to the Democratic Party's increasingly aggressive stance on slavery. The Supreme Court issues its worst decision.

Participants: Harry Sandick, Jon Hatch, Leigh Barnwell

Prelude to Reconstruction: Constitutional Convention through Prigg Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

For hundreds of years, enslaved people resist and escape. The delegates' initial compromises in 1787 give disproportionate influence to slaveholders. Additional compromises, including the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and Missouri Compromise, both recognize and limit slavery. (Some) Northerners become concerned about a rising Slave Power. Prigg v. Pennsylvania endorses slavery but creates a limited space for Northern resistance.

Participants: Harry Sandick, Jon Hatch, Leigh Barnwell

Announcing Season 3: Reconstruction Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

We're back, with a new season about the next era of constitutional development: Reconstruction. Join us as we discuss the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 19th Amendments and surrounding events, America's subsequent retreat from the promises of Reconstruction, and the continuing struggles these amendments reflect.

Participants: Harry Sandick, Jon Hatch

Bonus Episode: The Militia and Naval Acts Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

We return with a "lost" episode about how early Congresses filled in details that the Constitution left open. The Militia Acts strike a delicate balance between the state and federal governments and fail utterly to create a trained militia, so Congress and the Supreme Court decide to pretend the Militia Clauses just don't exist. Meanwhile, the Naval Act allows for traditional patronage politics to create an effective navy despite considerable challenges.

Unadopted Amendments of the 1810s: Titles of Nobility and Ill-Timed Reversals Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

Jerry Bonaparte gets married. Congress decides it really hates titles. The Titles of Nobility Amendment is almost ratified, but falls two states short, leading to a few conspiracy theories. (Lawyers are still US citizens, we promise.) Tensions with England and France rise. New England Federalists meet in Hartford, change their minds on several issues, make an ill-timed proposal, and are never heard from again.

Early Constitutional Law Decisions: Arguments, Assets, Banks, Boats, Charters, Crimes, Debts, and Dams Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

A debt is paid, but not to the debtor. A will is probated, but not for the heirs. An argument is skipped, despite prior arrangements. A bank is taxed, without being named. A lottery is launched, but tickets are forbidden. A charter is granted, but withdrawn by others. A vault is emptied, but the contents are returned. A ship is wrecked, but its contents resurface. A dam is broken, and a ship sails on.

Twelfth Amendment: Gaming the System Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Article II, Section 1 is founded on accident, immediately shows signs of trouble, and implodes within 12 years. Hamilton schemes, and others counterscheme. The Federalists swap Pinckneys. The Democratic-Republicans fail to coordinate and Jefferson and Burr end up tied. Jefferson grabs a few votes, the House deadlocks, and Bayard makes a last minute deal. The Democratic-Republicans take the route of least ambition, and fix only a few out of a host of problems.

Eleventh Amendment: Speculators and Self-Interest Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

The Convention commits a basic drafting error (probably). Georgia fails to pay some debts, Virginia claims some land, and Massachusetts grabs some property. The Committee of Detail drafts Article III. Randolph seizes an opportunity for an old client (and some new ones), Wilson rules in favor of his investments, Iredell is ignored, and everyone freaks out. Congress fixes a problem but creates a new one.

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