The Constitution and America's Destiny

David Brian Robertson explains how the U.S. Constitution emerged from an intense battle between a bold vision for the nation''s political future and the tenacious defense of its political present. Given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to alter America''s destiny James Madison laid before the Constitutional Convention a plan for a strong centralized government that could battle for America''s long-term interests. But delegates from vulnerable states resisted this plan seeking instead to maintain state control over most of American life while adding a few more specific powers to the existing government.