60-Second Civics Podcast
972 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★ - 76 ratings60-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.
60-Second Civics is produced by the Center for Civic Education. The show's content is primarily derived from the Center's education for democracy curricula, including We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Project Citizen, Foundations of Democracy, and Elements of Democracy.
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Episodes
60-Second Civics: Episode 4116, The Prohibition Era
September 27, 2020 07:00The Prohibition era began just as World War I was drawing to a close. Not every American soldier was happy about returning to a dry country. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4115, The Eighteenth Amendment
September 26, 2020 07:00The Eighteenth Amendment, which was ratified in January 1919, inaugurated the era of Prohibition by outlawing the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors" in the United States. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4114, International Abolition of Slavery
September 25, 2020 07:00The international movement to abolish the slave trade and the practice of slavery began in Britain and elsewhere in Europe in the eighteenth century. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4113, Northern Reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation
September 24, 2020 07:00The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, only applied to the Confederacy and did not actually free most slaves in the South, but it did have a powerful symbolic effect and increased diplomatic support for the Union. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4112, The Emancipation Proclamation
September 23, 2020 07:00The Emancipation Proclamation had two parts. The first stated that enslaved people in any of the Confederate states that did not return to the Union by January 1863 would be freed. The second part freed all enslaved people held in the rebellious states, at least in theory. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4111, Abolitionists, Free Soilers, and Emancipation
September 22, 2020 07:00At the outset of the Civil War, public opinion in the North was generally unfavorable to immediate abolition. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4110, "If Slavery Is Not Wrong, Nothing Is Wrong"
September 21, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln's attitude to the slavery issue was complex. We'll learn why on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4109, The Corwin Amendment
September 20, 2020 07:00The Corwin Amendment was created in order to avoid the Civil War. It would have outlawed future amendments that abolished slavery. However, the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter began the Civil War, and the amendment was never ratified. Instead, in 1864 Abraham Lincoln began lobby for passage an amendment to abolish slavery. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4108, Abolition Movements in the United States
September 19, 2020 07:00A social culture of reform in pre-Civil War America was the fertile soil in which a variety of movements against slavery grew. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4107, Early Anti-Slavery Movements in America
September 18, 2020 07:00Several movements to abolish slavery were formed during the Revolutionary era. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4106, Slavery Contradicted America's Founding Principles
September 17, 2020 07:00Slavery was in flat contradiction to the founding principles and animating spirit of the American republic born on July 4, 1776. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4105, Economic Context of the Civil War
September 16, 2020 07:00When the Civil War erupted in 1861, differences between the economies of North and South were directly relevant to the slavery issue. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4104, The Constitution on Slavery
September 15, 2020 07:00On today's podcast, we learn about three compromises on slavery that were added to the Constitution to get the support of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4103, Slavery and the Start of the Civil War
September 14, 2020 07:00On today's podcast, we examine the causes of the Civil War. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4102, The Civil War Amendments
September 13, 2020 07:00Today we begin a brief series examining the Civil War Amendments. These are the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4101, Freedom of the Press around the World
September 12, 2020 07:00Starting in the nineteenth century, the people of many nations began demanding the liberal freedoms associated with democracy. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4100, The English Roots of American Freedom of the Press
September 11, 2020 07:00The roots of freedom of the press in America are found in England. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4099, Freedom of the Press and New Forms of Communication
September 10, 2020 07:00Americans hold a deep respect for freedom of the press and free expression. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4098, The Growing Power of Media
September 09, 2020 07:00Americans have been avidly consuming news since the founding period, but news outlets haven't always been tremendously profitable. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4097, The Importance of Freedom of the Press in the Early Republic
September 08, 2020 07:00Freedom of the press has been important to Americans since the early republic. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4096, Prior Restraint
September 07, 2020 07:00How easy is it for the government to keep the news media from publishing sensitive government information? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4095, The Alien and Sedition Acts
September 06, 2020 07:00The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed under the administration of Federalist president John Adams. They outraged Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, and contributed to Jefferson's victory in the presidential election of 1800. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4094, The Alien and Sedition Acts
September 05, 2020 07:00The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed under the administration of Federalist president John Adams. They outraged Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, and contributed to Jefferson's victory in the presidential election of 1800. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4093, Libel vs. Slander
September 04, 2020 07:00On today's podcast, learn about the difference between libel and slander. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4092, The Zenger Case
September 03, 2020 07:00Under British colonial rule in America, criticizing the government was known as seditious libel, and it was illegal. But in the case of John Peter Zenger, the jury was on his side. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4091, Freedom of the Press, an Introduction
September 02, 2020 07:00Today we begin a brief series on freedom of the press. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4090, A Just and a Lasting Peace
September 01, 2020 07:00In Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln urged the nation to heal its wounds. He also expressed his hope that the nation may achieve a "just and lasting peace." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4089, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
August 31, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln's elegant words in the Gettysburg Address signify his enduring legacy to the people of America. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4088, Abraham Lincoln and America's Founding Principles
August 30, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln believed that the Constitution was meant to fulfill the ideas of equality, liberty, and government by consent of the people contained in the Declaration of Independence. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4087, The Thirteenth Amendment
August 29, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln was opposed to slavery, but did not live to see the Thirteenth Amendment ratified. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4086, The Emancipation Proclamation
August 28, 2020 07:00Learn about the Emancipation Proclamation on today's 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4085, Abraham Lincoln on Slavery
August 27, 2020 07:00Although rightly remembered as the president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation and won the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln did not intend to abolish slavery at the outset of the war. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4084, Lincoln Takes Strong Action against the Rebellion
August 26, 2020 07:00During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus in order to better fight the rebellion. But not everything went Lincoln's way. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4083, Suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus During the Civil War
August 25, 2020 07:00Chief Justice Roger B. Taney rules against Abraham Lincoln's aggressive use of war powers Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4082, The Prize Cases
August 24, 2020 07:00The Prize Cases posed a constitutional test of Abraham Lincoln's use of war powers during an emergency. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4081, Congress Approves Lincoln's Actions
August 23, 2020 07:00Critics accused Abraham Lincoln of trampling on the Constitution, but he thought his actions were needed to save both the Union and the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4080, Lincoln Takes Immediate Action Against the Confederacy
August 22, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln acted swiftly when the Civil War began, but some people thought he had gone too far. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4079, The Civil War Begins
August 21, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln faced a tough first year in office: secession and war plagued the nation. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4078, Abraham Lincoln Elected President
August 20, 2020 07:00Abraham Lincoln lost his campaign for the Senate, but won the presidency two years later. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4077, Abraham Lincoln Opposes the Kansas-Nebraska Act
August 19, 2020 07:00The Kansas-Nebraska Act brought Abraham Lincoln back into politics and pushed the country closer to civil war. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4076, Abraham Lincoln Begins His Political Career
August 18, 2020 07:00Despite having less than one year of formal education, Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer and launched his political career. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4075, Abraham Lincoln's Early Life
August 17, 2020 07:00Today we kick off a brief series on Abraham Lincoln. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4074, Virginia Ratifies the Constitution
August 16, 2020 07:00Despite George Mason's objections, Virginia ratified the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4073, Virginia Ratifies the Constitution
August 15, 2020 07:00Despite George Mason's objections, Virginia ratified the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4072, George Mason at the Virginia Ratification Convention
August 14, 2020 07:00George Mason made one fateful error at the Virginia Ratification Convention. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4071, George Mason Refuses to Sign the Constitution
August 13, 2020 07:00George Mason refused to sign the Constitution because it did not contain a bill of rights. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4070, George Mason Proposes the Bill of Rights
August 12, 2020 07:00When George Mason proposed that a bill of rights be added to the Constitution, not a single state delegation to the Philadelphia Convention voted in favor of Mason's motion. As a result, Mason refused to sign the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4069, Bernard Bailyn on Slavery in the Founding Period
August 11, 2020 07:00Should we hold America's founders to account for not outlawing slavery? We'll learn about one historian's views on the subject on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4068, The New York Manumission Society
August 10, 2020 07:00Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and William Livingston were outspoken opponents of slavery and were founding members of the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4067, Slavery in the North
August 09, 2020 07:00Slavery was not confined to the South. Even in the late 1790s, one in five New York City households kept domestic slaves. Center for Civic Education