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 4066, Providence Punishes National Sins by National Calamities
August 08, 2020 07:00George Mason's aversion to slavery and his vigorous condemnation of the institution remained a constant throughout his life. Even so, Mason never freed the people he enslaved. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4065, George Mason's Attack on Slavery
August 07, 2020 07:00George Mason held slaves, but nevertheless condemned the practice. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4064, Jefferson and Madison on Slavery
August 06, 2020 07:00Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason and other Founders agonized over slavery and what to do to bring about its end. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4063, Mason and Washington on Slavery
August 05, 2020 07:00Learn about two Founders' views on slavery on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4062, Frequent Recurrence to Fundamental Principles
August 04, 2020 07:00The Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776 was extremely influential. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4061, Important Principles in the Virginia Declaration of Rights
August 03, 2020 07:00The Virginia Declaration of Rights laid out a number of important principles of American government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4060, The Virginia Declaration of Rights
August 02, 2020 07:00Among the important principles set forth in the Virginia Declaration of rights is that all power is derived from the people and that government officials are their trustees and servants. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4059, The Most Influential Constitutional Document in American History
August 01, 2020 07:00George Mason was the primary author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and its "Constitution and Form of Government." The Virginia Declaration of Rights influenced the Declaration of Independence, state constitutions, and the Bill of Rights Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4058, The Fairfax Resolves
July 31, 2020 07:00George Mason, America's "forgotten founder," wrote the famous Fairfax Resolves in 1774, which were intended, as George Washington explained, to "defend our Constitutional Rights" and to set forth our fundamental principles. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4057, George Mason's Early Life
July 30, 2020 07:00Like many of America's founders, George Mason had many good attributes. Nevertheless, his legacy is tarnished by the fact that was a slaveholder, as were George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4056, George Mason, the Reluctant Statesman
July 29, 2020 07:00Most Americans know very little about George Mason, who was instrumental in getting the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution by the First Congress in 1791. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4055, George Mason, America's Forgotten Founder
July 28, 2020 07:00George Mason was a highly influential Virginian who had a "profound understanding of republican government," and yet he remains largely unknown to the American public. Find out about America's "Forgotten Founder" over the next several episodes of 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4054, George Washington's Rules of Civility
July 27, 2020 07:00Before he reached the age of sixteen, George Washington wrote down one hundred and ten "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4053, George Washington's Views on Slavery
July 26, 2020 07:00George Washington owned slaves and took steps to return slaves who escaped. Nevertheless, he came to reject slavery, both for the human suffering it caused and on principle. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4052, George Washington Warns Against Party and Faction
July 25, 2020 07:00George Washington believed in the virtues of nonpartisan government, in which patriotic citizens of different views would be willing to serve together. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4051, How George Washington Established the Authority of the Presidency
July 24, 2020 07:00George Washington's vigorous policies established the president as an energetic leader, not a ceremonial figurehead. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4050, George Washington Relied on the Advice of Others
July 23, 2020 07:00As president, George Washington understood his own limitations and was not reluctant to rely upon the counsel of others. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4049, George Washington as President
July 22, 2020 07:00As president, George Washington demonstrated the value of a strong executive in the hands of a trustworthy person. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4048, George Washington, the Reluctant President
July 21, 2020 07:00Far from being eager for power as president, George Washington likened his feelings on once again taking up the burdens of public service to "those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4047, A Strong Executive
July 20, 2020 07:00George Washington did not participate in the public debates over ratification, although his support was widely known and had a strong influence. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4046, Washington's Support for Civilian Control of Government
July 19, 2020 07:00George Washington strongly supported the principle that the military is subordinate to civilian government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4045, Washington's Support for Civilian Control of Government
July 18, 2020 07:00George Washington strongly supported the principle that the military is subordinate to civilian government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4044, The Newburgh Conspiracy
July 17, 2020 07:00Late in the Revolutionary War, a group of officers planned to march on Congress, demanding their pay. George Washington deftly confronted the officers and thwarted their plans. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4043, George Washington the Soldier
July 16, 2020 07:00George Washington was a courageous and decisive soldier before and during the American Revolution. After independence was secured in 1783, Washington appeared before Congress and publicly resigned his military position, reinforcing the idea of civilian control of American government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4042, George Washington's Early Life
July 15, 2020 07:00Today we begin a short series on George Washington, who was perhaps the most influential leader in the creation of the American nation. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4041, James Madison and the Bill of Rights
July 14, 2020 07:00Although originally opposed to a Bill of Rights, James Madison became its strongest proponent Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4040, Madison Supports Freedom of Religion in Virginia
July 13, 2020 07:00James Madison was a strong advocate for religious freedom and opposed the establishment of the Anglican church as a state-supported religion in Virginia. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4039, James Madison as a Champion for Religious Freedom
July 12, 2020 07:00James Madison was a champion of religious freedom, believing that official religions were wrong because such a policy discriminated against the non-favored religions. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4038, James Madison's Fears About Slavery
July 11, 2020 07:00James Madison was a slaveholder. Nevertheless, he denounced slavery as harmful for both enslaved people and those who held slaves. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4037, James Madison on Slavery
July 10, 2020 07:00James Madison remained persistent critic of slavery throughout his public career. Nevertheless, benefited from slave labor all his life. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4036, James Madison's Evolving Opinion of Political Parties
July 09, 2020 07:00James Madison was originally opposed to political parties, which he called factions, but changed his views. Learn how he later justified political parties on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4035, Mr. Madison's Party
July 08, 2020 07:00James Madison was originally opposed to political parties. That all changed when he decided to organize opposition to Alexander Hamilton's plans for the country. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4034, James Madison on Partisan Politics
July 07, 2020 07:00James Madison was not a huge fan of political parties. Find out why on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4033, If Men Were Angels, No Government Would Be Needed
July 06, 2020 07:00Acknowledging that if "men were angels" no government would be needed, James Madison argued that any government "administered by men over men" must be so constituted so as to control itself as well as the governed. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4032, James Madison's Federalist Essays
July 05, 2020 07:00James Madison's Federalist essays rank among the best political thought ever produced. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4031, James Madison's Federalist Essays
July 04, 2020 07:00James Madison's Federalist essays rank among the best political thought ever produced. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4030, James Madison, the Convention's Most Active Delegate
July 03, 2020 07:00James Madison played a very active role in the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, which drafted the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4029, James Madison's Views Did Not Always Prevail
July 02, 2020 07:00Despite being known as the Father of the Constitution, James Madison's views did not always prevail at the Philadelphia Convention. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4028, James Madison Drafts the Virginia Plan
July 01, 2020 07:00James Madison's Virginia Plan determined in large measure the direction the Philadelphia Convention would take. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4027, James Madison, Scholar and Politician
June 30, 2020 07:00Despite the fact that James Madison was a small, slightly built and shy man with a quiet voice, he make a big impression on the Philadelpha Convention of 1787, later becoming known as the "Father of the Constitution." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4026, James Madison's Early Career
June 29, 2020 07:00After college, James Madison had difficulty choosing a career, but he was drawn into the growing colonial resistance to the imperial policies of Great Britain. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4025, James Madison, Father of the Constitution
June 28, 2020 07:00James Madison was the fourth president of the United States. He combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4024, Participation in Government
June 27, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteParticipation in government is in our self-interest. The amount of time spent participating will probably depend on how well we think our elected officials are doing. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4023, Social and Political Action
June 26, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThere are two general ways that citizens can address problems in the community through participation in civic life: through social action and through political action. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4022, Civic Life
June 25, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteCivic life is the public life of citizens. It is concerned with our own interests as well as the common interests of our community and nation. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4021, Civic Participation
June 24, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteCivic participation means taking part in formal political processes and taking part in community activities outside of government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4020, Citizenship as an Office of Government
June 23, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteSome people say that the office of citizen is the highest office of government because citizens are the source of government's authority. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4019, Civil Disobedience
June 22, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteWhen laws or governmental actions conflict with a citizen's views of what is right and wrong, the citizen faces a difficult decision. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4018, Responsibilities of Citizens
June 21, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteWith the rights of citizens of the United States come certain responsibilities, which can be grouped into two categories: personal responsibilities and civic responsibilities. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4017, Some Rights Can Be Limited
June 20, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe rights of Americans are protected by the federal and state constitutions and bills of rights. However, it is reasonable and fair to place limits on most rights; they are not absolute. Center for Civic Education