In this episode of America’s Founding Series, Professor Nick Giordano uncovers the real story of Elbridge Gerry. Gerry was a Revolutionary patriot, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Vice President of the United States, and his name has become forever tied to the controversial practice of gerrymandering. From his pivotal role in the fight for independence and his stand for a Bill of Rights, to the political pressures that led him to sign a bill he privately opposed, Gerry’s life reveals the brilliance, courage, and human flaws of America’s Founding Fathers. Discover the man behind the myth, and why his legacy is far more than a political cartoon.
Episode Highlights
- How Elbridge Gerry rose from a wealthy merchant’s son in Massachusetts to a key figure in the American Revolution and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Why Gerry refused to sign the Constitution, and how his principled stance helped pave the way for the Bill of Rights.
- The origin of “gerrymandering,” and how political loyalty led even an extraordinary Founder to a moment of human weakness.
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Timestamps
- 00:52 Gerrymandering and Elbridge Gerry
- 00:56 Elbridge Gerry: Early Life and Revolutionary Contributions
- 05:44 The Constitutional Convention and the Bill of Rights
- 09:07 The XYZ Affair and Political Controversies
- 11:17 The Birth of Gerrymandering and Its Implications
- 14:28 Legacy of Elbridge Gerry: A Complex Patriot
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