F2B From Independence to Constitution: Founding a New Republic
History & World Affairs | Registration opens 9/2/2026 12:00 AM
This course examines the founding of the United States as a process shaped by debate, compromise, and conflict. Beginning with the Declaration of Independence, we will consider how Americans justified separation from Britain, defined basic rights, and sought support at home and abroad. We will then trace the move from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution, focusing on how the framers balanced liberty with authority and state power with national power. The course also explores the conflicts and compromises that shaped the new republic and continue to influence constitutional debates today.
- Image courtesy of Shutterstock
Robert Beaury
Presenter & Producer
Robert Beaury, MS, (LLI) is a retired high school social studies teacher and college adjunct. He earned a BA in history and political science from Hunter College and an MS in education from Sage Graduate Schools. He has presented courses at LLI in history and government since 2019.