What is a good video about the founding fathers (of the US)?

September 8, 2015 11:49 AM

I am teaching a college-level introductory government class and need to include content about the Founding Fathers and their views on government. My expertise is in environmental law/policy, which is where most of the class will focus, but I do need to cover the traditional constitution-writing, independence-declaring stuff as well. I already have readings (from Zinn, and also a mainstream textbook) but I would like a compelling video about the founding fathers - and, hopefully, their disparate and conflicting viewpoints - to round out our first week. I was thinking of PBS or something like that, but I'm having a hard time finding anything that is 1) long enough, 2) not too long (>60 minutes), and 3) college level. Any ideas?
posted by Princess Blueberry to Law & Government (8 answers total)

There are a lot of good scenes from the John Adams biopic but you'd really need to watch the whole thing to pull a few out. There are a few suggestions when you look at the hashtag on YouTube.
posted by jessamyn at 12:58 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

Hi, I teach Construction Contracts Law and I found a great source of intelligent videos at the Annenberg Classroom website. A good place to start.
posted by drthom at 1:35 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

We watched the musical 1776 in my ap government class in high school. Probably a bit silly for college but it really does cover the basics.
posted by betsybetsy at 2:20 PM on September 8, 2015 [3 favorites]

There are the Crash Course US History videos by John Green. They are geared toward more of a high school audience, but might be an option.
posted by wsquared at 2:23 PM on September 8, 2015

It's not what you asked for, but when the Hamilton album comes out (from the amazing Broadway music about the life of Alexander Hamilton) you may want to play them some of that. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton (including George Washington, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, King George, and more in a fascinating, engaging, fantastic way, utilizing a lot of hiphop and rap as well as jazz and 60s brit pop.) It is fun, accurate, and modern - a great way to engage young people today in the story of dead white guys who wore powdered wigs.

Album comes out 9/25, I believe.
posted by firei at 4:25 PM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]

Lin-Manuel Miranda Performs at the White House Poetry Jam [YouTube]

Writer and star of the Broadway musical In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda performs "The Hamilton Mixtape" at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music, and the Spoken Word on May 12, 2009. Accompanied by Alex Lacamoire.

posted by Little Dawn at 9:28 PM on September 8, 2015

The PBS American Experience episode The Duel plays out the politics of the early republic, using the Hamilton-Burr duel as the hook. Terrific.
posted by LarryC at 12:53 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]

There's some great stuff at the Annenberg/CPB site; here's the list of social studies and history videos for college and adult learners.

A Biography of America is probably going to be your best bet.

The Constitution: That Delicate Balance is great but may be much more modern-day with too little Founding Fathers for your needs.

Democracy in America might have some useful segments; for example, episode 2 talks about the Jeffersonian-Madisonian debate.

Finally, The Western Tradition is an amazing series; it spans everything from ancient Egypt to the Cold War, but there are two episodes on early America (37, The American Revolution, and 38, The American Republic) that might have just what you're looking for.
posted by kristi at 10:21 AM on September 11, 2015 [1 favorite]