As America faces challenges to democracy itself, it is easy to forget that the structure of our nation was not a given but has been developed over centuries. Decisions made and ideas promoted at the very beginning of our country were enormously important to the nation that the United States has become, its successes, challenges, and failures. Four Virginia presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe—four of the first five presidents under the Constitution, had an outsized role in crafting those systems, defining the nature of early America, grappling with race relations, expanding the frontiers, and engaging foreign relations in ways that continue to have an immense influence on our nation.
This virtual spring symposium will include a knowledge leader discussing each of the first four Virginia presidents and how they grappled with the problems associated with birthing a nation and creating and maintaining a democracy.