Forged on Freedom: The Making of America - Set of 3

The Amendments to the Constitution

Reading the 27 amendments built into America's constitution may not seem exciting at first. Look beyond the old-fashioned phrasing and the government terms, however, and you will find remarkable details. You will meet political leaders and representatives struggling to make the wisest choices, American citizens fighting for basic rights, and a country that is constantly adjusting to the changes it faces with every passing year. The story behind each amendment is important to understand—and fascinating to learn.

The Constitution: Defender of Freedom

After the Revolutionary War established the independent United States of America, a different kind of revolution took place. Between Shays' Rebellion and the final flourish of a quill pen on the Constitution, the country's greatest leaders faced a challenge that would either keep the states together or tear them apart. From the roads of Boston to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, delegates battled out the particulars of how the new country would be governed. In this inspiring story of leadership, discover how diplomacy and compromise created a document that would defend the nation's freedom at once and for the future.

The Revolutionary War: The War for Freedom

The British Army, the best in the world, expected to easily win the war against the American colonies. It was a war that should have been a short footnote in the history of the British Empire. The Continental Army—made up of farmers, merchants, and craftsmen—scarcely fought with gunpowder, let alone guns. They could not possibly succeed in their quest to form a new nation.

On the way to victory, the British met American Commander-in-Chief George Washington, a man with an indomitable will. He led an army that refused to lose, no matter how great the odds or how many times it was discounted. In the end, it was the British who were desperate for peace.

This is the story of the Revolutionary War and how it produced a country forged on freedom.