America Becomes a Nation

Part I: Overview of the film “A More Perfect Union”

A More Perfect Union is a 1989’s film, directed by Peter N. Johnson. It describes the history of the events occurred during the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 and the creation of the United States Constitution. The film is focused on James Madison (interpreted by Craig Wasson), the person who wrote most of that document.

The film can be divided in four different sections:

1) The U.S under the Articles of Confederation: In this section the film sets out the main problems faced by the 13 State’s Union after the American Revolutionary War and under the government set up by the Articles of Confederation.

The abuse of authority and constant increases on import taxes by the British, leaded the imperative need of reaching the independence from Great Britain and the necessity of commerce regulation and conduct of foreign affairs. However, these issues were almost impossible to reach without a Central Government over the territory.

Also, and due to the American Revolutionary War, shortages of labor and personal turmoil was threatening the stability of the States, with the possibility of rebellion of some unsatisfied citizens.

The film describes how the Shay´s Rebellion pointed out the need of the creation of a central government in the United States and the review of the Articles of the Confederation that were unable to deal with the critical issues.

2) James Madison and the creation of the Virginia Plan: this part of the film describes how James Madison, precursor of the Philadelphia Convention, saw clearly the need of the creation of a new Constitution and how he draw up the Virginia Plan, the pillar of the future U.S Constitution. The Virginia Plan set up the current structure of the U.S Government, based in three branches (legislative, executive and judiciary) that would reinforce the national government and that could regulate the states and their laws. Also the film explains how the System...