The Great American Story: The New Nation

About this episode

The episode discusses the ratification of the Constitution and the historical challenges faced by Americans, featuring guest Wilfred McClay.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the ratification of the Constitution before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. After declaring independence from Great Britain, the Americans faced two monumental tasks. First, they had to defeat the mightiest military power in the world. Second, they had to establish a government capable of unifying the nation and securing their rights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jeremiah, Juan

Guest: Wilfred McClay

Topics covered

• Constitution ratification
• American history
• liberty
• patriotism
• government formation
• national challenges

Keywords

• Constitution
• American history
• liberty
• patriotism
• Hillsdale College
• Wilfred McClay
• government
• national unity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hillsdale College

Books & works: The Great American Story: A Land of Hope

Places: Great Britain

More episodes of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

• The Great American Story: The Finest Hour · June 10, 2026 · 42 min
• The Great American Story: The New Deal · June 3, 2026 · 36 min
• The Great American Story: The Great War and Its Aftermath · May 27, 2026 · 51 min
• The Great American Story: The Progressive Era · May 21, 2026 · 51 min
• The Great American Story: Becoming a World Power · May 13, 2026 · 34 min
• The Great American Story: Reconstruction and Transformation · May 6, 2026 · 54 min