The Constitutional Convention was a Four-Act Drama

Discover how 55 delegates created the U.S. Constitution in just 88 days during the summer of 1787. Constitutional scholar Gordon Lloyd breaks down the Philadelphia Convention using his acclaimed "four-act drama" framework, revealing the behind-the-scenes negotiations, heated debates, and crucial compromises that shaped American government.

What You'll Learn:

✓ How Madison's Virginia Plan clashed with the New Jersey Plan

✓ The Connecticut Compromise that balanced state vs. popular representation

✓ Why slavery debates nearly derailed the entire convention

✓ How the Electoral College and presidency were actually created

✓ The dramatic final moments and Franklin's famous "rising sun" speech

Key Topics Covered:

• Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan conflict
• Connecticut Compromise and Great Compromise
• Three-Fifths Compromise and 1808 slave trade agreement
• Creation of the Electoral College system
• Presidential powers and impeachment provisions
• Committee of Detail and Committee of Style
• Bill of Rights controversy and non-signers

Featured Experts:

Gordon Lloyd (Pepperdine University, Ashbrook Center Senior Fellow)

Chris Burkett (Ashland University, Ashbrook Scholar Program Director)

Hosted by Jeff Sikkenga (Ashbrook Center Executive Director)

Related Resources:

The American Founding website: theamericanfounding.org

Ashbrook's 50 Core American Documents: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/product/50-core-american-documents-cdc/

Madison's Constitutional Convention notes (Ashbrook edition): https://teachingamericanhistory.org/product/debates-in-the-federal-convention-of-1787/