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!
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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 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.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2217, Amendments and judicial review, Part 1: Amending the Constitution The Framers wanted the Constitution to be difficult to amend, but not sacrosanct.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2216, The Federalists, Part 14: The robust political scene of the Founding era Political operatives in the Founding era weren't above using unsavory tactics.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2213, The Federalists, Part 11: The lack of a bill of rights On today's podcast, Alexander Hamilton's arguments against a bill of rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2212, The Federalists, Part 10: The branches of government protect basic rights Do the three branches of government protect our basic rights? The Federalists thought so.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2211, The Federalists, Part 9: The Constitution promotes republicanism The Federalists argued that the rights and welfare of everyone is protected by the unamended Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2210, The Federalists, Part 8: State legislatures and civic virtue In the early years of the American republic, state legislatures sometimes favored creditors over debtors. The Founders saw this as a betrayal of the ideals of the Revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2209, The Federalists, Part 7: Civic virtue is not reliable Is civic virtue enough to ensure good government? Not according to the Federalists.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2208, The Federalists, Part 6: Federalist 10 and republican government James Madison devised powerful arguments supporting the idea that a republic could be successful in the United States. Learn about some of these arguments on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2206, The Federalists, Part 4: How can republican government survive? The Federalists needed to counter the claim that republican government could not survive in America. They sent in their pinch hitter: James Madison.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2205, The Federalists, Part 3: A new science of politics The Federalists argued that the Constitution represented a "new science of politics" that made Anti-Federalist critiques obsolete.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2204, The Federalists, Part 2: The Federalist Today we discuss one of the most important sources of information about the Constitution: A series of essays known as The Federalist.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2203, The Federalists, Part 1: The Federalists organize Today we kick off our series on the Federalists, who supported ratification of the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2202, The Anti-Federalists, Part 16: Concern about rights Today on the podcast, the Anti-Federalists argue that the lack of a bill of rights is a serious flaw in the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2201, The Anti-Federalists, Part 15: The Anti-Federalists warn against tyranny Are the general welfare and necessary and proper clauses dangerous? The Anti-Federalists thought so.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2200, The Anti-Federalists, Part 14: The lack of a bill of rights Most states already had bills of rights. So why not the Constitution?
60-Second Civics: Episode 2199, The Anti-Federalists, Part 13: Robert Yates and Patrick Henry Why did Robert Yates and Patrick Henry object to the Constitution? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2198, The Anti-Federalists, Part 12: Senate accountability and mixed powers The Anti-Federalists had a lot of problems with the Constitution, even with the system of checks and balances.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2197, The Anti-Federalists, Part 11: Executive and judicial power The Anti-Federalists believed that the executive and judicial branches would have too much power under the proposed Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2196, The Anti-Federalists, Part 10: The potential for tyranny The Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution contained the potential for tyranny.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2195, The Anti-Federalists, Part 9: Civic virtue rather than a strong national government The Anti-Federalists believed that civic virtue rather than a strong national government was the best solution to America's problems.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2194, The Anti-Federalists, Part 8: A distant government Anti-Federalists argued that a distant national government would require a standing army and taxation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2193, The Anti-Federalists, Part 7: Anti-Federalist arguments against a strong national government Today we learn some Anti-Federalists against a strong national government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2192, The Anti-Federalists, Part 6: The effect of Anti-Federalist opinion George Washington wrote that Anti-Federalist opposition to the Constitution might not ultimately be such a bad thing for the country.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2191, The Anti-Federalists, Part 5: Reasoned discourse The Federalists and Anti-Federalists sought to use reasoned discourse to persuade the citizenry.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2190, The Anti-Federalists, Part 3: The ratification debates begin Who were the Anti-Federalists? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2189, The Anti-Federalists, Part 3: The ratification debates begin Today on the podcast, the ratification debates begin with a speech by Benjamin Franklin. George Mason leaves and refuses to sign the Constitution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2188, The Anti-Federalists, Part 2: Ratification by the people The ratification of the Constitution was consistent with John Locke's social contract theory.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2187, The Anti-Federalists, Part 1: A plan to ratify the Constitution The Framers of the Constitution went around state legislatures to get the Constitution ratified.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2185, Federalism, Part 12: Restricting suffrage to landowners Gouverneur Morris suggested that suffrage should be limited to landowners. This caused an uproar.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2184, Federalism, Part 11: National citizenship The Framers of the Constitution never defined citizenship, but left it up to the states.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2183, Federalism, Part 10: Slavery and commerce The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention had to compromise in order to get the authority to regulate commerce among the states.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2182, Federalism, Part 9: Compromises on slavery The Framers of the Constitution had to make many compromises on the issue of slavery. Today we learn some of them.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2181, Federalism, Part 8: Slavery and the states The words "slave" and "slavery" never appeared in the Constitution, perhaps because the Framers were ashamed of it.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2180, Federalism, Part 7: A history of protecting individual rights The Framers saw the need to limit state power. Find out how on today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2179, Federalism, Part 6: Limitations on state power The Framers saw the need to limit state power. Find out how on today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2178, Federalism, Part 5: The Constitution protects political independence. How does the Constitution protect political independence? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2177, Federalism, Part 4: More protections of rights in the Constitution The Framers of the Constitution tried hard to protect individuals from a powerful national government. Learn how on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2176, Federalism, Part 3: Habeas corpus, ex post facto laws, and bills of attainder Do you know what an ex post facto law is? What about a bill of attainder? They are prohibited by the Constitution. Learn more on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2175, Federalism, Part 2: Some powers of the federal government What authority does the national government have over the states? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2174, Federalism, Part 1: Concerns about abuses by state governments The Framers were concerned about states restricting individual freedom, so they gave the federal government some power of the states.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2173, The Three Branches of Government, Part 18: Impeachment and judicial review Today we learn about two important checks on government: impeachment and judicial review.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2172, The Three Branches of Government, Part 17: Appointments, treaties, and warmaking powers How do checks and balances work? Today we provide some examples.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2171, The Three Branches of Government, Part 16: Checks and balances On today's podcast we learn about checks and balances and take a close look at the president's veto power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2170, The Three Branches of Government, Part 14: How should federal judges be selected? How should federal judges be selected? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2169, The Three Branches of Government, Part 13: Reasons to separate the judicial branch Why is the judicial branch independent of the president and Congress? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2166, The Three Branches of Government, Part 11: The Electoral College explained Today on the podcast, we explain the Electoral College.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2165, The Three Branches of Government, Part 10: Why not direct popular election? Why didn't most Framers of the Constitution want the people to elect the president directly?
60-Second Civics: Episode 2164, The Three Branches of Government, Part 9: How should the president be selected? Deciding how the president should be selected was a tricky matter for the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2163, The Three Branches of Government, Part 8: How long should a president remain in office? How long should a president remain in office? The Framers' original proposal was for one seven-year term.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2162, The Three Branches of Government, Part 7: Should there be more than one chief executive? How many chief executives should there be? Learn the arguments for and against a plural executive on today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2161, The Three Branches of Government, Part 6: An energetic executive The Framers of the Constitution thought that the executive should have "energy." We learn why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2160, The Three Branches of Government, Part 5: Broad versus enumerated powers How broad should be the powers of Congress? The Virginia and New Jersey plans proposed different visions of legislative power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2159, The Three Branches of Government, Part 4: Enumerated powers Should Congress be able to make any laws it wants to? The Framers didn't think so.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2158, The Three Branches of Government, Part 3: A deliberative body The Framers of the Constitution wanted Congress to thoroughly debate issues and avoid corruption.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2157, The Three Branches of Government, Part 2: Checks and balances Their experiences with British royal governors led Americans to create weak executives, but this would have a cost.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2156, The Three Branches of Government, Part 1: The corruption of Parliament by the Crown Since ancient times, philosophers have argued that governments must do three things: make, execute, and judge laws.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2155, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 19: The debate over representation in the expanding republic The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention recognized that the United States would expand, and planned accordingly.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2154, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 18: The Northern position on proportional representation Northern delegates to the Philadelphia convention were opposed to counting slaves for purposes of representation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2153, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 17: The Southern position on proportional representation Should enslaved people be counted as persons for determining representation? This was hotly debated at the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2152, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 16: What does proportional representation mean? The Great Compromise was only the first step in settling the issue of proportional representation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2151, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 15: The Great Compromise saves the convention The Great Compromise passed by a single vote. Each side have to give up something to make the compromise work.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2150, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 14: The Great Compromise The Great Compromise finally broke the impasse at the Philadelphia Convention over representation in Congress.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2149, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 13: Equal representation in the Senate Today on 60-Second Civics, a vote on equal representation in the Senate results in a deadlocked convention. But there was a way out.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2148, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 12: Defeat of the New Jersey Plan The New Jersey Plan was defeated at the Philadelphia Convention. This meant the Virginia Plan became the basis for discussion at the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2146, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 10: The debate over proportional representation Proportional representation was the most controversial part of the Virginia Plan. Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2145, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 9: Proportional representation in the Virginia Plan What was the most controversial element of the Virginia Plan? Find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2144, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 8: More features of the Virginia Plan Some features of the Virginia Plan might strike you as being unusual. Find out on today's 60-Second Civics.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2143, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 7: Representation in the Virginia Plan The Virginia Plan proposed proportional representation and a government with three branches.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2142, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 6: James Madison's Virginia Plan Today on 60-Second Civics: James Madison's Virginia plan proposes a strong national government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2141, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 5: Laying the groundwork The Framers established rules for the Philadelphia Convention right away. One of them was secrecy.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2139, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 3: Benjamin Franklin and Gouverneur Morris Benjamin Franklin and Gouverneur Morris made important contributions to the Philadelphia Convention.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2138, The Philadelphia Convention, Part 2: Washington and Madison Today we learn about two important Framers: George Washington and James Madison.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2136, The first national government, Part 6: The aftermath of Shays' Rebellion Shays' Rebellion and the popular reaction to it gave Congress an extra incentive to reform the Articles of Confederation.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2135, The first national government, Part 5: Shays' Rebellion Angry farmers led by Daniel Shays led an armed rebellion in Massachusetts. Find out why on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2134, The first national government, Part 4: Economic trouble in the early republic Hard economic times afflict the United States after the American Revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2133, The first national government, Part 3: Achievements under the Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation had its weaknesses, but the government under the Articles also had significant achievements.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2132, The first national government, Part 2: Government under the Articles of Confederation Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could not raise taxes directly. Each state had one vote, regardless of population.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2131, The first national government, Part 1: The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation established a weak national government with very limited powers.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2130, State constitutions, Part 7: The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 What was one of John Adams' greatest contributions to American constitutionalism? Find out on today's episode.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2129, State constitutions, Part 6: Rights protected in state declarations of rights Most states had their own declarations or bills of rights. These were designed to protect the rights of the people.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2128, State constitutions, Part 6: The Virginia Declaration of Rights The Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for our Bill of Rights. Learn about this fascinating document on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2127, State constitutions, Part 5: State declarations of rights States were keen to protect the rights of citizens. Most states therefore had bills or declarations of rights.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2126, State constitutions, Part 4: The judicial branch of early state governments The states created their own judicial branches, but made sure not to give them too much power.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2125, State constitutions, Part 3: Constitutional government in the states On today's podcast, we learn more principles of government the states incorporated into their constitutions.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2124, State constitutions, Part 2: Natural rights and republicanism State governments adopted ideas from natural rights and republicanism in their constitutions.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2123, State constitutions, Part 1: State governments The newly independent Americans needed a national government, but how would they go about creating one that respected their rights?
60-Second Civics: Episode 2122, The Declaration of Independence, Part 15: Loyalists The Loyalists thought that rebellion against the king went too far. They paid a steep price for their views.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2121, The Declaration of Independence, Part 14: Right to revolution Did the colonies have the right to revolution against George III? The colonists thought so.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2120, The Declaration of Independence, Part 13: Complaints against King George III What were some of the complaints the colonists had against King George III? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2119, The Declaration of Independence, Part 12: Human equality and government by consent Today on the podcast we discuss human equality and government by consent.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2118, The Declaration of Independence, Part 11: The Declaration and natural rights philosophy Today we learn about natural rights philosophy and the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2117, The Declaration of Independence, Part 10: The three parts of the Declaration On today's podcast, we learn about the three parts of the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2116, The Declaration of Independence, Part 9: The Second Continental Congress Today we learn about the Second Continental Congress at the start of the war.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2115, The Declaration of Independence, Part 8: A state of rebellion On today's podcast, the king declares the colonies to be in a state of rebellion and a committee is appointed to write the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2114, The Declaration of Independence, Part 7: Lexington and Concord Today on the podcast we learn about the start of the Revolutionary War.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2113, The Declaration of Independence, Part 6: The First Continental Congress The First Continental Congress met in 1774 and took steps that would anger the British government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2112, The Declaration of Independence, Part 5: The Boston Tea Party The Tea Act led directly to the an incident known as the Boston Tea Party, a prelude to the American Revolution.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2111, The Declaration of Independence, Part 4: The Boston Massacre Who represented the soldiers during the trial for the Boston Massacre? The answer may surprise you.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2110, The Declaration of Independence, Part 3: Stamp Act Congress and the Daughters of Liberty On today's podcast, we learn about the Stamp Act Congress, the Declaratory Act, and the Daughters of Liberty.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2109, The Declaration of Independence, Part 2: Resistance to increasing British control. Unpopular taxes like the Stamp Act spawned popular resistance in the colonies.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2108, The Declaration of Independence, Part 1: No taxation without representation As the British tightened their control over the colonies, the colonists grew resentful of British control.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2107, Republican government, Part 5: Cincinnatus, a model of civic virtue Who was Cincinnatus? The American Founders thought all American should emulate him.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2106, Republican government, Part 4: Common good and civic virtue The main purpose of government, according to the Founders, is to promote the common good.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2105, Republican government, Part 3: The advantages of republican government Today we discuss the advantages of republican government.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2104, Republican government, Part 2: Direct democracy and republican government What sort of government did the Roman Republic have? We find out on today's podcast.
60-Second Civics: Episode 2103, Republican government, Part 1: The Roman Republic The American Founders saw the Roman Republic as both an example and a warning.
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