A Little Rebellion -Now And Then: Prologue To The U.S.Constitution

Since 1987 will undoubtedly see a flood of material on the U. S. Constitution, libraries would be wise to start planning ahead. It is still too early, however, to compare A Little Rebellion _Now & Then with the other inevitable videos of the same genre. Judged on its own merits, the program is well done. It offers a concise and balanced account of some of the domestic crises faced by the young republic under the Articles of Confederation, and takes as its main theme the need for the stronger central government created by the 1787 Constitution. Although initially concerned with the Shays Rebellion, the subject broadens into a discussion of the conflicts between bankers and debtors, merchants and farmers, and the urban and the rural. Shays "horrid and unnatural" rebellion of western Massachusetts farmers is often treated in textbooks as an isolated incident. This video does a great historical service by putting the event into a larger context. The points are drawn through dramatizations mixed with narration, quotes from primary sources, and graphics. The viewpoint remains objective until the end, when it slips into a rather narrow economic interpretation of the Constitution. With support from humanities councils in nearly all of the New England states, its a shame this program is not available at a more moderate price. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries. (Available from: Churchill Films, 662 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069-9990). (Carolyn Ferguson)