Creating America

William Sarris
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HISTORY

The documents and speeches that shaped the United States. It is my hope that as you listen to these documents and speeches you will gain an appreciation of what our country was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 13 - The Federalist Papers, Part 2: Why the Articles of Confederation Failed (Nos. 15 & 21)

    Why did the Articles of Confederation fail—and how did that lead to the U.S. Constitution? In this episode of Creating America, we continue our exploration of the Federalist Papers with Federalist No. 15 and No. 21, written by Alexander Hamilton. These powerful essays explain why America’s first system of government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to survive—and why a stronger federal government was necessary. Hamilton lays out the dangers facing the young nation: lack of enforcement power, economic instability, interstate conflict, and the inability to govern effectively. He argues that a government without the power to enforce laws is no government at all. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why the Articles of Confederation failedThe core weaknesses of early American governmentHamilton’s argument for federal power and national unityHow these ideas shaped the U.S. ConstitutionThis episode continues the chronological journey through the founding documents that shaped the United States, bringing these texts to life through narration and historical context. 🎧 Perfect for students, history lovers, and anyone curious about how American government was built. Host & Narrator: Will SarrisFollow us on social media!Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisReply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    36 min

  2. APR 2

    Episode 12 - The Federalist Papers, Part 1: Union, Liberty, and the Problem of Faction (Nos. 1 & 10)

    In this episode of Creating America, host Will Sarris introduces one of the most influential collections of political writing in United States history: The Federalist Papers. Written under the pseudonym “Publius” by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, these essays were crafted to defend the newly proposed Constitution and persuade the people of New York to support its ratification. After exploring the divide between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, we dive into two foundational essays. In Federalist No. 1, Hamilton lays out the stakes of the constitutional debate, arguing that the future of the Union—and the possibility of self-government itself—hangs in the balance. Then, in Federalist No. 10, Madison examines one of the most enduring challenges of democracy: faction. He explains why divisions are inevitable in a free society and how a large republic can help control their dangers. These writings not only shaped the ratification debate in 1787–1788 but continue to influence how the Constitution is understood today. Join us as we hear these historic texts brought to life and consider what they reveal about the founding of the United States—and its future. Host & Narrator: Will SarrisFollow us on social media!Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisReply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    36 min

  3. MAR 26

    Episode 11: Anti-Federalism in Action | Patrick Henry’s Warning: “I Tremble for My Country” (June 7, 1788)

    In this episode of Creating America, we travel to the Virginia Ratifying Convention of 1788 to hear one of the most powerful Anti-Federalist voices of the founding era: Patrick Henry. Best remembered for his fiery declaration, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”, Henry returned to the public stage to oppose ratification of the newly drafted United States Constitution. Speaking on June 7, 1788, he warned that the proposed frame of government endangered liberty, threatened the sovereignty of the states, and lacked explicit protections for individual rights. At the time, the Constitution contained no Bill of Rights—a glaring omission for many Americans who had just fought a revolution against centralized power. In this speech, Henry challenges Federalist arguments and questions the necessity of consolidation. His fears of corruption, taxation without adequate safeguards, and the erosion of jury trials and press freedom echo through American history. Whether you agree with him or not, Henry’s words reveal the deep anxieties that surrounded the birth of the American republic—and help explain why the first ten amendments were soon added. He was but one voice of many who show us that the history of our founding is complex. For more context and an analysis of this speech, visit https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/analysis-patrick-henry-speech-ratification-constitution. Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States. It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be. Host & Narrator: Will SarrisFollow us on social media!Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisWill on BlueSky: Reply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    42 min

  4. MAR 19

    Episode 10: We the People | The Constitution of the United States

    his episode of Creating America is devoted to a full reading of the Constitution of the United States, the foundational document that established the framework of the American government. The episode opens with brief historical context explaining why the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate and why delegates gathered in 1787 to design a stronger national system. Influential figures such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton pushed for an entirely new form of government, with the convention presided over by George Washington. The core of the episode is a complete reading of the Constitution as originally ratified, beginning with the Preamble’s declaration, “We the People.” The text outlines the structure of a federal government divided into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—and defines the powers and limitations of each. Article I details the composition, responsibilities, and authority of Congress, including lawmaking powers, taxation, regulation of commerce, and the impeachment process. Article II establishes the presidency, describing the election process, qualifications for office, executive powers, and duties. Article III creates the federal judiciary, defining the role of the Supreme Court and the scope of judicial authority. The episode also covers Articles IV through VII, which address the relationship between the states, the admission of new states, guarantees of a republican form of government, the amendment process, the supremacy of federal law, and the requirements for ratification. Together, these sections reveal how the Constitution sought to balance national authority with state sovereignty while protecting liberty and establishing a durable system of governance. By presenting the Constitution in its entirety and in its original language, this episode allows listeners to engage directly with the document that continues to shape the structure, powers, and principles of the United States. Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States. It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be. Host & Narrator: Will SarrisFollow us on social media!Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisWill on BlueSky: Reply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    33 min

  5. MAR 12

    Episode 9: Voices of Freedom | Enslaved Petitions & Early Abolition in Revolutionary America

    In this episode of Creating America, host Will Sarris reads powerful but often overlooked voices from the Revolutionary era—documents written by enslaved people demanding the same freedom the colonies claimed for themselves. You’ll hear the 1773 petition of enslaved men in Massachusetts asking for their liberty and the right to return to Africa, the 1779 New Hampshire petition signed by Prince Whipple and other enslaved men asserting that freedom is a natural human right, and excerpts from the 1780 Pennsylvania Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery—the first legislative step toward ending slavery in the United States. These documents reveal that the contradiction between liberty and slavery was not only recognized by later historians—it was being challenged in real time by those living under bondage. By listening to these original texts as they were meant to be heard, we gain a deeper understanding of the debates, moral struggles, and voices that shaped the early American republic. Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States. It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be. Host & Narrator: Will SarrisFollow us on social media!Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisWill on BlueSky: Reply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    31 min

  6. MAR 5

    Episode 8: The American Crisis, No. 1: | "These Are the Times That Try Men’s Souls” (1776)

    This episode features a dramatic reading of the first pamphlet from The American Crisis by Thomas Paine, published in December 1776 during the darkest days of the American Revolution. Written in plain language for ordinary colonists, Paine’s words were meant to strengthen resolve, condemn tyranny, and rally support for independence. The opening line—“These are the times that try men’s souls”—became one of the most enduring calls to courage in American history. The episode provides brief historical context, including the tradition that George Washington found the pamphlet so inspiring that it was read aloud to Continental Army troops before the crossing of the Delaware River. The bulk of the episode is devoted to Paine’s uncompromising argument against British rule, his condemnation of loyalists, and his insistence that liberty, though costly, is worth every sacrifice. Creating America emphasizes listening over interpretation, allowing the power of the original language to stand on its own. Through this reading, listeners gain a deeper appreciation of the fear, resolve, and moral conviction that defined the Revolutionary era. Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States. It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be. Host & Narrator: Will Sarris📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisWill on BlueSky: Reply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    25 min

  7. FEB 26

    Episode 7: The Articles of Confederation | America’s First Government

    In this episode, we read one of the most misunderstood yet crucial documents in American history: The Articles of Confederation. After declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776, the Continental Congress faced an urgent question: What comes next? Were the former colonies independent states loosely allied together—or a single united nation? How would they fund the Revolutionary War, manage commerce, resolve disputes, and govern collectively? Drafted by John Dickinson of Delaware and ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation created a “league of friendship” among the states, intentionally limiting the power of a central government. Each state retained its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, while Congress lacked the authority to tax, regulate commerce, or effectively enforce its decisions. In this episode, you’ll hear: The full text of the Articles of Confederation, read aloudThe fears of centralized power that shaped America’s first governmentWhy the Articles ultimately proved too weak to govern a growing nationHow economic crisis and interstate conflict led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787Because many Americans in the 18th century were illiterate, these documents were often experienced orally in taverns, meeting halls, and public gatherings. As a professional voice actor, Will Sarris brings these foundational texts to life, preserving both their meaning and their intended impact. Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States. It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be. Host & Narrator: Will Sarris📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarrisWill on BlueSky: Reply on Bluesky 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    27 min

  8. FEB 19

    Episode 6: John Quincy Adams on the Declaration of Independence | America’s Moral and Political Origins

    In this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, host and narrator Will Sarris presents a powerful historical reading of a landmark speech delivered by John Quincy Adams on the 45th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Delivered in 1821, Adams’s address is both a sweeping interpretation of the causes, meaning, and legacy of the Declaration and a profound meditation on the origins of legitimate government. In this speech, Adams argues that the United States was the first nation founded on universal principles of natural rights, rather than conquest, inheritance, or divine monarchy—an idea that would later be called American exceptionalism. Adams traces the intellectual roots of the Declaration to the Protestant Reformation, contending that the restoration of reason in religion made its application to politics inevitable. He connects the ideas of individual conscience, human equality, social compact, and popular sovereignty to the founding of the American republic, while also revealing how these beliefs shaped 19th-century American political culture. This episode features: John Quincy Adams’s explanation of the moral foundation of the Declaration of IndependenceA critique of governments founded on conquest and hereditary powerReflections on natural rights, civil society, and popular sovereigntyInsight into how Americans have interpreted the Declaration across generationsPresented as a dramatic narrated reading, this episode allows listeners to experience the speech as it was meant to be heard—spoken aloud, rich in rhetoric, and alive with ideas that continue to shape debates about what the United States is and what it ought to be. 🎧 Related episode: Hear the Declaration of Independence itself, read aloud, in the previous episode of Creating America. About the PodcastCreating America is an American history podcast dedicated to reading and preserving the documents and speeches that shaped the United States, from iconic texts to lesser-known works that influenced the nation’s development. Host & Narrator: Will Sarris📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

    25 min
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The documents and speeches that shaped the United States. It is my hope that as you listen to these documents and speeches you will gain an appreciation of what our country was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

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  • Creator
    William Sarris
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026