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The Making of a Nation

Every Thursday, Special English broadcasts a fifteen-minute program in a series about American history. For earlier programs, enter "Making of a Nation" with quotation marks in the search box at the top right.


Aaron Burr
On THE MAKING OF A NATION: Burr went on trial in 1807 for a secret plot to seize Mexico from Spain. The plan could have divided the Union. But was he guilty as charged?

  • US History Series: A Supreme Court Justice Is Put on Trial in 1805  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: Jefferson Gets Louisiana Territory From France  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: Jefferson Moves to Cut Debt, Spending  Audio Clip Available
  • US History: Jefferson Begins Presidency With a Loyal Cabinet  Audio Clip Available
  • US History: Jefferson, at Inaugural, Urges Unity of Hearts and Minds  Audio Clip Available
  • US History Series: Jefferson Is Elected President in 1800, But Only on the 36th Vote  Audio Clip Available
  • US History: Adams Avoids War With France, Signs Alien and Sedition Acts  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: John Adams Is Elected Nation's Second President  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: How a Dispute Helped Lead to Party System  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: Two-Party Political System Takes Hold in US  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: For a New Nation, Hamilton Seeks a Bank  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: The Imagination of Alexander Hamilton  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: From Revolutionary War Hero to President  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: The Heart and Spirit of the Constitution  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: The Constitution Goes to the States for Approval  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: The Signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: Debating Slaves' Part in Representation of States  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: A 'Great Compromise' on State Representation  Audio Clip Available
  • American History Series: Struggle to Balance Power Between Big States and Small States  Audio Clip Available