60-Second Civics: Episode 2416, Shays' Rebellion, Part 1 Angry farmers and a showdown with the government: Sound familiar? Except this rebellion happened in 1786.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2415, Debt and instability after the American Revolution An economic downturn in the mid-1780s led to a crisis in the early American republic.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2414, Economic consequences of the American Revolution The Revolutionary War had both good and bad consequences for the economy.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2413, Low turnout at the Annapolis Convention The Annapolis Convention was disappointing, but it did result in a call to amend the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2409, Treatment of loyalists after the American Revolution Some state governments refused to protect loyalists after the American Revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2407, Agreements with other nations under the Articles of Confederation International trade was particularly difficult under the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2406, Limited government power under the Articles Limiting the power of the national government too much turned out to be a disaster.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2403, Achievements under the Articles of Confederation Today we learn about some of the achievements of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2402, Balancing power in the Articles of Confederation Learn how the Articles of Confederation resolved three key controversies on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2401, Three issues Three issues divided groups of states against each other during debates over the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2399, A firm league of friendship Today we learn how the Articles of Confederation created a "firm league of friendship" among the states rather than a strong central government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2398, Government should be close to the people The Continental Congress realized that a strong central government was necessary, but they were wary of its power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2397, Fear of a strong national government Writers of the Article of Confederation were wary of a strong national government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2396, A plan for confederation Taxes, territory, and representation were contentious issues during debates over the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2393, State declarations of rights Find out on today's podcast some of the guarantees provided in state declarations of rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2392, The influence of the Virginia Declaration of Rights The Virginia Declaration of Rights was an influential document. Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2391, Rights in the Virginia Declaration of Rights On today's podcast we take a look at the rights in the Virginia Bill of Rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2387, Representation of different economic classes The representation of different economic classes in the Massachusetts constitution of 1780 contributed to political stability.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2386, A strong executive The Massachusetts constitution of 1780 featured a strong executive, unlike most state constitutions of the era.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2385, Massachusetts constitution of 1780 The Massachusetts constitution of 1780 had a structure that closely resembled that of the U.S. Constitution, but preceded it by seven years.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2384, Limits on legislative power State legislatures were powerful during and after the American Revolution, but there were checks on their power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2381, Reasons for legislative supremacy Today we learn the reasons for the faith the framers of state constitutions had in legislative supremacy.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2380, Legislative supremacy Most state constitutions immediately following independence provided for legislative supremacy and majority rule.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2379, Social contract and voting State constitutions guaranteed the right to popular sovereignty, but not everyone got to vote.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2377, Free and independent states The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the colonies to be "Free and Independent States."
60-Second Civics: Episode 2376, The right to revolution The Declaration of Independence made a radical claim: that the people have a right to revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2375, Charges against the king The Declaration of Independence charged King George III of depriving the colonists of the rights he was supposed to protect.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2374, Human equality and government by consent Human equality and government by consent are two bedrock principles of the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2372, The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was a radical document. Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2368, The First Continental Congress The Intolerable Acts were a step too far for the colonies. Delegates met in the First Continental Congress to coordinate resistance.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2367, The Intolerable Acts After the Tea Act, some colonists dressed like Mohawk indians and dumped tea into Boston Harbor. The Punitive Acts ensued, further fanning the flames of revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2366, John Adams and the Boston Massacre Before he was president, John Adams defended the soldiers accused of the Boston Massacre. He called it "one of the most gallant...actions of my whole life."
60-Second Civics: Episode 2365, The Boston Massacre On the night of March 5, 1770, a terrible event occurred that would be called "bloody butchery" by Samuel Adams. We know it today as the Boston Massacre.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2361, No taxation without representation Many Americans resisted new British taxes after the Seven Years' War. "No taxation without representation" became their rallying cry.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2359, The Stamp Act The Stamp Act was Parliament's first attempt to impose a direct, internal tax on the American colonies. It was reviled by the colonists.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2358, The Proclamation Act of 1763 The British Parliament once forbade settlement west of the Appalachians. It didn't have the welfare of Native Americans in mind, however.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2357, Salutary neglect The laissez-faire attitude of the British toward the colonies resulted in Americans becoming used to their freedoms.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2356, Parliament takes action to control the colonies The British Parliament took several steps to control the American colonies in the late 18th century.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2355, Increasing control of the colonies War debt compelled the British to increase control over the colonies. A bad move, as it turned out.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2353, The importance of property in colonial America In many American colonies, you had to own at least 50 acres of land to vote.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2350, Representative government in America Representative government was one of the most important developments in the American colonies.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2349, Basic principles of colonial governments Colonists sought to protect their basic rights in their colonial constitutions.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2348, Colonial innovations in government The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were an important step in American constitutionalism. Learn why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2345, Inequality in the colonies Indentured servants, Native Americans, and slaves did not have equal rights in colonial America.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2344, Not all Americans enjoyed basic rights Although guarantees of basic rights appeared in many American colonies, not all Americans benefited equally.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2341, The Southern Colonies The Southern Colonies were mostly rural. They produced agricultural products and exploited the labor of slaves.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2334, Corporate and proprietary charters The English Crown tried many methods to lure colonists to America, but eventually the colonists were considered to be too independent.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2331, British settlers needed Britain used royal proprietorships and joint-stock companies to entice settlers to settle America.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2330, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 21:The English Bill of Rights The English Bill of Rights expressed two important principles that influenced American constitutionalism.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2329, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 20: Parliament's power grows Parliament's power grew in the 17th century, and struggles for power led to the English Bill of Rights of 1689.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2328, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 19: Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 Today we learn about one of the most important limits on governmental power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2327, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 18: Petition of right of 1628 With the Restoration, the right to habeas corpus gained new authority.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2326, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 17: Struggles for power In the 17th century, the Crown and Parliament squabbled over money, religion, and foreign policy.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2325, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 16: The British Constitution The British constitution is not a single written document. Learn more on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2324, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 15: Common-law rights in America American colonists in Britain cherished their common-law rights and devised ways to protect them.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2323, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 14: Common-law rights Learn about the evolution of common-law rights on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2322, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 13: The Magna Carta's bumpy ride King John tried to subvert the Magna Carta as soon as his signed it.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2321, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 12: The Magna Carta and constitutional principles Americans would find the seed of important constitutional principles in the Magna Carta.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2320, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 11: More Magna Carta The barons didn't believe they were making any drastic change in the power of the king when they forced King John to sign the Magna Carta.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2319, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 10: The rule of law What does the rule of law have to do with the Magna Carta? Find out on 60-Second Civics.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2318, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 9: The Magna Carta The Magna Carta established three principles important for the development of constitutional government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2317, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 8: Precedent to the Magna Carta Learn about the Charter of Liberties, a forerunner of the Magna Carta.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2316, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 7: Common-law rights Learn about the English common-law system on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2315, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 6: Stare decisis How did the system of stare decisis evolve in England? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2314, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 5: Parliament develops Learn how Parliament evolved into a check on monarchical power on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2313, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 4: The Model Parliament What was the Model Parliament? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2312, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 3: The origins of Parliament How did the English Parliament begin? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2311, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 2: 1066 and all that William the Conqueror changed the way England was governed.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2310, British origins of American constitutionalism, Part 1: The Anglo-Saxon era Today we begin our series on the British origins of American constitutionalism.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2309, History and rights, Part 17: New science of politics What was the "new science of politics"? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2308, History and rights, Part 16: Enlightenment political philosophers Today we learn about four influential political philosophers of the Enlightenment.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2307, History and rights, Part 15: Science and reason On today's podcast, we discuss the factors that led to the Age of Enlightenment.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2306, History and rights, Part 14: Age of Enlightenment On today's podcast, we discuss the factors that led to the Age of Enlightenment.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2305, History and rights, Part 13: Capitalism, natural rights, Protestantism, and Adam Smith. Capitalism was justified by both natural rights philosophy and Protestant religious ideas.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2304, History and rights, Part 12: The rise of capitalism The increase in over greater distances help break up feudalism in Europe.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2302, History and rights, Part 10: Wars of the Reformation The Reformation sparked bloody violence in Europe that would spawn the modern nation-state.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2301, History and rights, Part 9: The Reformation, individualism, and the Puritans The Reformation posed a threat to most established institutions and authority.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2300, History and rights, Part 8: Greater freedom of conscience The Reformation encouraged greater freedom of conscience and decentralzed religious authority.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2299, History and rights, Part 7: The Protestant Reformation The Reformation was a powerful stimulus to modern individualism.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2298, History and rights, Part 6: The Renaissance A lot of things changed during the Renaissance. Find out what happened on 60-Second Civics.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2297, History and rights, Part 5: Medieval European society Imagine a society where you never leave the social class you were born in: this was medieval Europe.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2296, History and rights, Part 4: Classical republicanism in medieval Europe Some medieval ideas about society and government came from classical republicanism.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2295, History and rights, Part 3: Feudalism Europe in the Middle Ages was fragmented, people were isolated, and feudalism predominated.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2294, History and rights, Part 2: The influence of the Church Christianity was a powerful force during the Middle Ages but political loyalties were still local.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2293, History and rights, Part 1: The Judeo-Christian religious tradition Much of the Founders' commitment to liberty and individual rights sprang from the Judeo-Christian tradition.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2292, Natural rights philosophy, Part 10: Human equality Slavery was introduced in Virginia in 1619. Nevertheless, the idea of human equality would be used as a weapon to attach slavery.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2291, Natural rights philosophy, Part 9: Limited government According to John Locke, the people own government and the people can terminate it.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2290, Natural rights philosophy, Part 8: Popular sovereignty Two important ideas from natural rights philosophy: popular sovereignty and government by consent.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2289, Natural rights philosophy, Part 7: Inalienable rights During the crisis of the Revolution, Americans took a more personal view of their inalienable rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2288, Natural rights philosophy, Part 6: The Bible of the Revolution Whose work was considered to be the Bible of the Revolution? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2287, Natural rights philosophy, Part 5: The right to revolution The right to revolution became a key argument of the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2286, Natural rights philosophy, Part 4: Life, Liberty, and Leviathan In contrast to Thomas Hobbes, John Locke imagined that people form social contracts to preserve their rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2285, Natural rights philosophy, Part 3: Leviathan It was a century of rapid change. Classical republicanism had lost its luster. Then came Hobbes and Locke.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2284, Natural rights philosophy, Part 2: Basic questions What would life be like in a state of nature? That's what Hobbes and Locke asked themselves.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2283, Natural rights philosophy, Part 1: Divine right vs. self-government The Declaration of Indepence put forth a radical proposition: that government had to have the consent of the people.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2282, Ideas about civic life, Part 9: The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence contains some of the most important ideas underlying our government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2281, Ideas about civic life, Part 8: Civic virtue and moral education Classical republicans believed that civic virtue must be learned.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2280, Constitution Day 2015 What does the Preamble to the Constitution say? What is its significance? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2279, Ideas about civic life, Part 7: Cincinnatus What do Cincinnatus and George Washington have in common? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2278, Ideas about civic life, Part 6: The office of citizen in classical republics Classical republicans believed that virtuous citizens should have the courage to do what is right even under trying circumstances.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2277, Ideas about civic life, Part 5: Disparities cause conflict Today we learn why classical republicans believed that members of political communities must be fundamentally alike.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2276, Ideas about civic life, Part 4: Small, uniform communities Classical republicans thought that good government was only possible in small communities.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2275, Ideas about civic life, Part 3: Three aspects of classical republicanism What three aspects of classical republicanism most influenced the founding generation of Americans? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2274, Ideas about civic life, Part 2: Lessons from the Roman Republic The Roman Republic was both a lesson and a warning to those who wrote the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2273, Ideas about civic life, Part 1: The mixed constitution of Rome The Roman Republic had an influence on the American Founders. Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2272, Colonial America, Part 20: Direct vs. representative democracy Every constitutional system faces the same problem: ensuring that those in power obey constitutional limits
60-Second Civics: Episode 2271, Colonial America, Part 19: The Constitution as a higher law What makes a higher law different from laws passed by legislatures? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2270, Colonial America, Part 18: What is constitutional government? The Founders learned the lesson of unrestrained government power and sought to create a government of limited power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2269, Colonial America, Part 17: Constitutions are controversial! Constitutions are controversial! Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2267, Colonial America, Part 15: Republican government What exactly is representative government, anyway? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2266, Colonial America, Part 14: England as a mixed constitution The idea of a mixed constitution was popularized by Polybius; Montesquieu would later cite England as an example of one.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2265, Colonial America, Part 13: Aristotle, Polybius, and the mixed constitution What do Aristotle and Polybius have to do with the American Founders? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2263, Colonial America, Part 11: Aristotle's forms of governments. Aristotle defined "right" and "corrupt" forms of government. Learn what these are on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2262, Colonial America, Part 10: Aristotle and the branches of government Aristotle observed that every country's government must perform three functions.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2261, Colonial America, Part 9: Lessons learned by the Founders The American Founders learned two important lessons about government. Listen to today's podcast to learn about them.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2260, Colonial America, Part 8: Hamilton on the lessons of history Alexander Hamilton was not a fan of using examples from history when designing modern governments.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2259, Colonial America, Part 7: John Locke and the Founders Why was John Locke considered "America's philosopher"? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2258, Colonial America, Part 6: Lessons from Greek and Roman philosophy Democracies did not have a history of success, but the Founders learned the lessons of history.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2256, Colonial America, Part 4: Well-read Founders America's Founders were well-read, familiar with Aristotle, Cicero, and Blackstone.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2253, Colonial America, Part 1: The American colonies America was established as a large, diverse nation composed of people of varying backgrounds, religions, and languages.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2252, Introduction, Part 2: The American Founders Today we learn about America's Founders and the ideas that influenced them.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2251, Introduction, Part 1: An adventure in ideas Americans are defined as people by our shared values, such as our belief in liberty, equality, and justice.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2250, Political parties, Part 17: The downside of political parties Today we learn about some of the downsides of the political party system in the United States.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2249, Political parties, Part 16: Political parties as agents of stability Despite James Madison's fears, political parties can be agents of stability.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2248, Political parties, Part 15: The role of political parties today What are political parties good for, anyway? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2247, Political parties, Part 14: Political parties as a revolutionary idea Are political parties good for the nation? Here are some arguments in favor of them.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2246, Political parties, Part 13: Martin Van Buren on political parties Martin Van Buren believed that political parties could act as a kind of glue in the American political system.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2245, Political parties, Part 12: Political parties as a permanent part of the American political system At the time of his inauguration, Thomas Jefferson hoped that political parties would disappear.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2244, Political parties, Part 11: Tied presidential election The Twelfth Amendment ended a problem with the Constitution and created an ongoing role for political parties in the American system.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2243, Political parties, Part 10: The Election of 1800 Why was the election of 1800 revolutionary? Find out on today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2242, Political parties, Part 9: Anatomy of the Alien and Sedition Acts Today we examine the Alien and Sedition Acts in detail.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2241, Political parties, Part 8: The Alien and Sedition Acts The Alien and Sedition Acts would shock us today. They arguably caused John Adams to lose reelection.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2240, Political parties, Part 7: Federalists and Republicans The Federalists and Republicans became the first national political parties in the United States, but neither considered the other to be the "loyal opposition."
60-Second Civics: Episode 2239, Political parties, Part 6: France or England? Jefferson's and Hamilton's supporters were at odds over which side to support during the Napoleonic Wars. This division, among others, led to America's first political parties.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2238, Political parties, Part 5: Hamilton and Jefferson and the necessary and proper clause Hamilton and Jefferson had different interpretations of the necessary and proper clause.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2237, Political parties, Part 4: The first parties debate the power of government Americans have been debating the power of the national government for quite a long time.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2236, Political parties, Part 3: Factionalism in colonial America Americans were no strangers to factionalism, even in colonial America.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2235, Political parties, Part 2: The potential value of factions Is there any value in having factions in a representative system?
60-Second Civics: Episode 2234, Political parties, Part 1: Madison, Hume, and Burke on factions James Madison and Alexander Hamilton differed on whether factions and political parties were good for the country.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2233, Amendments and judicial review, Part 17: Justice John Gibson's arguments against judicial review Justice John Gibson created some powerful arguments against judicial review.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2232, Amendments and judicial review, Part 16: Arguments against judicial review Judicial review wasn't accepted by everyone. President Andrew Jackson even threatened not to enforce Supreme Court decisions he disagreed with.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2231, Amendments and judicial review, Part 15: The Judiciary Act of 1789 Article III of the Constitution only outlines the national judiciary; Congress had to fill in the details.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2230, Amendments and judicial review, Part 14: Marshall's arguments What were John Marshall's arguments in favor of judicial review? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2229, Amendments and judicial review, Part 13: Judicial review Who has the final say about the meaning of the Constitution? Find out on today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2228, Amendments and judicial review, Part 12: Marbury v. Madison Does the Supreme Court have the authority to declare laws unconstitutional? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2227, Amendments and judicial review, Part 11: James Madison's other proposals James Madison had many ideas for improving the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2226, Amendments and judicial review, Part 10: Prominent supporters of a bill of rights Jefferson, Washington, and Madison all supported a bill of rights. Ten of the amendments proposed by Madison were later adopted as the Bill of Rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2225, Amendments and judicial review, Part 9: Unsuccessful arguments for a bill of rights George Mason and others argued that a bill of rights be added to the Constitution. They did not gain enough support for the idea during the Philadelphia Convention, but their idea would eventually triumph.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2223, Amendments and judicial review, Part 7: The Constitution amended On today's podcast, amendments to the Constitution affecting the president and Congress.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2222, Amendments and judicial review, Part 6: Fundamental changes Today we learn about some important constitutional amendments that go to the core of our constitutional system.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2220, Amendments and judicial review, Part 4: Madison and the Bill of Rights Which Framer of the Constitution pushed the Bill of Rights through Congress? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2219, Amendments and judicial review, Part 3: How the Constitution has been amended Most proposed amendments fail to be approved by Congress before being sent to the states. Learn about some of these on today's podcast.
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This site is brought to you by the Center for Civic Education. The Center's mission is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. The Center has reached more than 30 million students and their teachers since 1965. Learn more.
