Inside the urgent debates that forged a revolutionary act of self-government.

Historian Danielle Allen unpacks the ideas, arguments, and political pressure behind one of history's greatest acts of writing. From colonial grievances to the Continental Congress and the drafting of the Declaration, this series reveals how ordinary delegates shaped a bold democratic experiment. Sign up to see the document as a living argument, not just a monument.

Episode guide

2 episodes

1The Tipping Point

Until the ink on the Declaration of Independence was dry, not even the Founding Fathers knew for sure if they would declare Independence from the British Empire. Join Danielle Allen in exploring the two years that changed the course of history - for America, and for the world.

20 min

2A Bold Experiment

In a world run by monarchs, the United States announced an unprecedented democratic experiment whose success was far from guaranteed. What does it take to write a document like the Declaration of Independence in a time of challenging uncertainty? What can we learn from it 250 years later?

13 min

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