About the Podcast: 60-Second Civics is a daily podcast that provides a quick and convenient way for listeners to learn about our nation’s government, the Constitution, and our history. The podcast explores themes related to civics and government, the constitutional issues behind the headlines, and the people and ideas that formed our nation’s history and government.
Get Involved: Join the conversation about each episode on Twitter. Or you can contact the show by emailing Mark Gage. Let me know what you think!
You Can Help: 60-Second Civics is supported by private donations. You can help keep the podcasts coming by donating, buying an ebook, or by writing a nice review in iTunes to help others discover the show. We love our listeners. You are the reason we created the podcast. Thank you for your kind support!
Music: The theme music for 60-Second Civics is provided by Cheryl B. Engelhardt. You can find her online at cbemusic.com. The song featured on the podcast is Cheryl B. Engelhardt's "Complacent," which you purchase on iTunes, along with all of Cheryl's music.
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60-Second Civics: Episode 2140, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 4: Founders who did not attend the Philadelphia Convention Jefferson, Adams, Paine, Henry, and Hancock did not attend the Philadelphia Convention, but for different reasons.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2505, The Federalist The Federalist is considered by historians to be the most important work written to defend the new Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2504, Federalist strategy Federalist strategy was to hold state ratifying conventions as soon as possible so that Anti-Federalists would not have enough time to organize.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2502, Vague and general powers are dangerous The Anti-Federalists believed that the lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution would results in basic rights of the people being stripped away.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2500, Anti-Federalist criticisms of checks and balances It's our 2,500th episode! Today we learn about some powerful Anti-Federalist critiques of the system of checks and balances.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2499, Anti-Federalist arguments about the presidency and courts The Anti-Federalists argued that both the president and the federal courts would have too much power under the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2498, Anti-Federalist arguments about the power of Congress The Anti-Federalists were concerned that the Constitution gave too much power to Congress.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2497, Contributions of the Anti-Federalists Overall, George Washington felt that the Anti-Federalists had contributed to the country.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2496, Robert Yates Robert Yates wrote a series of Anti-Federalist essays explaining why the Constitution would not be the best form of government for the United States.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2494, Benjamin Franklin on the Constitution Benjamin Franklin on the Constitution and the struggle for ratification in Massachusetts, on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2493, A nationwide debate The Federalists and Anti-Federalists engaged in a nationwide debate about ratification of the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2490, The ratification process begins The ratification process was consistent with social contract theory and the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2489, We the People The plan for ratification of the Constitution was consistent with the idea of "We the People...do establish and ordain this Constitution."
60-Second Civics: Episode 2488, Ratification James Madison knew that all the states were unlikely to approve the new Constitution, but he thought of an alternative.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2487, Unresolved controversies at the Philadelphia Convention Today we learn about unresolved controversies at the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2484, A compromise over slavery The fugitive slave clause shows that the Framers intended slavery to be a state institution, and not a permanent one.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2483, The fugitive slave clause The fugitive slave clause shows that the Framers intended slavery to be a state institution, and not a permanent one.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2481, Why the word "slavery" does not appear in the Constitution The Framers were ashamed of slavery, and did not include the word in the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2477, Limitations on the power of the national government Today learn about habeas corpus, ex post facto laws, bills of attainder, and more.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2476, Powers of the national government over the states, Part 2 On today's podcast we explore more powers of the national government over the states.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2475, Powers of the national government over the states, Part 2 On today's podcast we explore more powers of the national government over the states.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2472, The power of war One of the most important powers in the Constitution, the power to wage and declare war, is shared by the president and Congress.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2471, The power to appoint executive officials and make treaties Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution lists important powers shared by Congress and the president.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2470, Separated and shared powers The Framers of the Constitution ensured that the branches of government had separated and shared powers.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2469, How judges should be selected Although the Framers agreed that judges should be independent, how judges should be selected was more controversial.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2468, The independence of the judicial branch The Framers of the Constitution took great care to ensure that the judicial branch remained independent.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2467, Agreement over the national judiciary The national judiciary was one area where the Framers of the Constitution substantially agreed.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2464, The Electoral College and the popular vote A presidential candidate can win the popular vote, but still lose the Electoral College vote.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2462, The perils of presidential selection The Framers of the Constitution did not approve direct election, but thought that indirect election was fraught with danger.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2461, How should we elect the president? The Framers of the Constitution were not generally in favor of having the president elected directly by the people.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2460, What kind of presidency should we have? The Framers of the Constitution originally proposed a 7-year term of office for the president.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2459, One chief executive The Framers agreed that it would be better to have one single chief executive rather than multiple executives.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2458, Three questions about the executive branch The Framers of the Constitution had to resolve three key issues about the nature of the executive branch.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2457, Alexander Hamilton on the executive branch Alexander Hamilton described the dilemma of the Framers in creating the office of the president, but James Wilson came to Philadelphia with a plan.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2456, Fear of executive power The Framers feared an executive branch that was too strong, but experience taught them that the executive should not be too weak.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2455, Compromises about the power of Congress The compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey plans sheds some light on the current powers of Congress.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2454, Congress designed to be a deliberative body Congress was not actually designed to pass legislation quickly. Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2453, Separated institutions sharing powers The Framers created a system that historian Richard Neustadt called "a government of separated institutions sharing powers."
60-Second Civics: Episode 2452, An imbalance of power leads to tyranny The American colonists believed that Parliament had been corrupted by the Crown.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2450, The Three-Fifths Compromise The Three-Fifths Compromise meant that three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted for purposes of representation in Congress, although the word "slaves" was never mentioned.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2449, Controversy over slavery and representation Delegates to the Philadelphia Convention argued about whether slaves were equal to free men for purposes of representation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2448, How should representation be decided? The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention debated whether slaves should be counted for purposes of representation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2444, Hamilton's plan fails Alexander Hamilton's plan for national government never gained any traction at the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2443, Alexander Hamilton's New York Plan Alexander Hamilton's plan for a national government featured a strong executive and weak states.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2442, The executive and judicial branches under the New Jersey Plan The New Jersey Plan featured an odd executive branch composed of several people appointed by Congress.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2440, Disagreement over representation in the Senate Debate raged at the Philadelphia Convention over proportional versus equal representation in the Senate.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2438, Proportional vs. equal representation The controversial idea of the Virginia Plan was that representation in the House and Senate should be based on population.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2437, The Pinckney Plan Today we learn about a little-known plan for government that was only rediscovered in the twentieth century.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2436, Congressional power under the Virginia Plan Congress would be much more powerful under the Virginia Plan than under the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2433, Madison does his homework James Madison we extremely well-prepared for the Philadelphia Convention. He isn't called the "Father of the Constitution" for nothing.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2432, The benefits of the Philadelphia Convention's rules The rules of the Philadelphia Convention had a purpose: to promote civil discourse.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2431, Secrecy at the Philadelphia Convention If it weren't for James Madison, we might not know the details of what happened at the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2430, Rules for the Philadelphia Convention There were many rules governing the Philadelphia Convention; most were for the sake of promoting civil discourse.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2429, Who did not attend the Philadelphia Convention? Jefferson, Adams, and Patrick Henry did not attend the Philadelphia Convention, but for different reasons.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2428, Roger Sherman at the Philadelphia Convention Roger Sherman attended nearly every session of the Philadelphia Convention and was instrumental in creating the Connecticut Compromise.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2427, Edmund Randolph at the Philadelphia Convention Edmund Randolph refused to sign the Constitution, but later campaigned for its ratification.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2425, James Wilson at the Philadelphia Convention James Wilson was born in Scotland. He was active in the Revolution, and led the ratification effort in Pennsylvania.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2424, Alexander Hamilton at the Philadelphia Convention Alexander Hamilton was outvoted by his fellow New Yorkers, but he campaigned hard for the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2423, Benjamin Franklin at the Philadelphia Convention Benjamin Franklin was 81 and in poor health at the Philadelphia Convention, but rarely missed a meeting.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2422, James Madison at the Philadelphia Convention Today we learn about James Madison, the brilliant and versatile "father of the Constitution."
60-Second Civics: Episode 2421, George Washington at the Philadelphia Convention George Washington was so respected that he was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia Convention.
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.
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