60-Second Civics Podcast
917 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★ - 75 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 3819, American Colonists
December 05, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteMost American colonists were descendants of British or Irish settlers, but compared to most European nations of the time, the colonists were quite diverse. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3818, Slavery in the American Colonies
December 04, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteEnslaved Africans were originally brought to the American colonies in 1619. As many as 7 million slaves were brought against their will into the American colonies during the eighteenth century. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3817, Self-Sufficiency in the American Colonies
December 03, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe early American colonists were remarkably self-sufficient. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3816, Self-Sufficiency in the American Colonies
December 02, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe early American colonists were remarkably self-sufficient. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3815, Cities and Farms in Colonial America
December 01, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteBoston, New York, and Philadelphia were the largest cities in the American colonies during the eighteenth century, but most American colonists did not live in cities. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3814, A Large Country
November 30, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe British colonies in North America were large in land area compared to the nations of Europe at the time. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3813, Early America
November 29, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAlong the eastern seacoast, where the British colonists settled, the native people lived in well-organized tribes known as the Eastern Woodland tribes. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3812, Evaluating Our Commitment to Fundamental Principles
November 28, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteEach generation must examine and evaluate the nation's fundamental principles. The American Founders themselves were vigorous critics of the wisdom that they had inherited and the principles in which they believed. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3811, Frequent Recurrence to Fundamental Principles
November 27, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteLearn about George Mason's idea of "frequent recurrence to fundamental principles" in today's 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3810, The Revolutions of 1989
November 26, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe victory of Solidarity over Polish communism inspired similar victories, known as the Revolutions of 1989, in neighboring Soviet satellites in Central and Eastern Europe. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3809, Ideas Do Matter
November 25, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe British economist John Maynard Keynes once remarked that "in the long run it is ideas and not men who rule the world." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3808, Frequent Recurrence to Fundamental Principles
November 24, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United States began as a test to see if certain ideas about government, many never before tried on such a scale or in such a way, would work. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3807, Technology and Globalization
November 23, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteTechnology has had the greatest effect on globalization. Technological innovations provide consumers, investors, and businesses with virtually instant access to important information for making decisions. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3806, Farther, Faster, Cheaper, and Deeper
November 22, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteNew York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman described the current wave of globalization as "farther, faster, cheaper, and deeper." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3805, Growth of World Trade
November 21, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteGlobalization sprang into public consciousness in the late twentieth century. It refers to the global economy and the effects of worldwide economic interdependence on cultures, social relations, and politics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3804, Influence Begins With Knowledge
November 20, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United States was traditionally isolationist until World War II and the Cold War. Despite the worldwide involvement of the United States, many Americans are not well-informed about other countries, world affairs, or how the United States is perceived in other parts of the world. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3803, Your Power Over International Affairs
November 19, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteYou can make a difference in world affairs. Find out how in today's episode of 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3802, How to Influence Foreign Policy
November 18, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteCan ordinary Americans influence foreign policy? You bet! Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3801, International Court of Justice
November 17, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, issues advisory opinions at the request of the United Nations. However, the United States accepts the jurisdiction and decisions of the court only on a case-by-case basis. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3800, Political Divisions Hamper the UN Security Council
November 16, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United Nations was founded with the assumption that the five permanent members of the Security Council would come together in the face of threats to international order. This hope soon proved illusory, however. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3799, America's Prominent Role in the United Nations
November 15, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United States has a prominent role in the United Nations. The headquarters of the U.N. are in New York, and the U.S. is a permanent member of the security council. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3798, Origins of the United Nations
November 14, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United Nations grew from discussions among the Allies during World War II about the need for an international organization to prevent future aggression. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3797, The United Nations
November 13, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe League of Nations failed, largely because the United states refused to join, but the United States abandoned its previous isolationism and agreed to join 50 other countries to form the United Nations in 1945. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3796, The Amistad Case
November 12, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteIn 1839, African captives seized control of the Amistad from their Spanish slaveholders and their ship was taken to a port in Connecticut. The Supreme Court would decide whether they would be returned to the Spanish or freed. Learn what happened in the Amistad case in this episode of 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3795, Limitations of International Law
November 11, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteOn today's podcast, we learn that there are severe limitations to the effectiveness of international law. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3794, Changing Perceptions of International Law
November 10, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteInternational law has been traditionally thought of as applying to relationships between nations, but individuals have at least some status under international law. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3793, International Law
November 09, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteInternational law can be defined as the rules that govern how nations interact with each other. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3792, The President's Authority Over Diplomacy
November 08, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe president has a great deal of constitutional authority over diplomacy, including the authority to receive ambassadors, thereby establishing diplomatic relations. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3791, Historical Wrangling over the President's War Powers
November 07, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe debate over the president's war powers goes back to Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and the Barbary Wars, which began in 1801. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3790, Treaty-Making Power and the States
November 06, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteTreaties made by the federal government are the supreme law of the land. As such, they limit the powers of states. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3789, The Origin of Treaty-Making Powers
November 05, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteTwo-thirds of the Senate must approve any treaty negotiated by the president. But originally, the Framers of the Constitution assumed that treaty-making power would reside in the Senate, not the executive. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3788, The Shared Power to Make Treaties
November 04, 2019 08:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteTreaty-making is a shared power. Treaties are negotiated by the president with the assistance of the State Department. The Senate has the power to ratify treaties, and funds for their implementation are provided by Congress. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3787, Letters of Marque and Reprisal
November 03, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteLetters of marque and reprisal were historically used by Congress to allow private raids on merchant ships of enemy nations. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3786, The Warmaking Powers of Congress
November 02, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Framers of the Constitution debated which branch of government should have the power to make war. They ultimately decided that Congress should have the power to declare war, but that the president would be commander in chief. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3785, Distrust of Standing Armies
November 01, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteOn today's episode, learn why the Framers mistrusted standing armies. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3784, Powers of Congress to Deal with Other Nations
October 31, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteCongress has important powers to regulate trade with foreign nations. Learn how in this episode. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3783, Is Isolationism a Realistic Option?
October 30, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United States has been actively involved with the rest of the world throughout its history. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3782, A Strained Alliance with France
October 29, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteDespite French help during the American Revolution, Americans in the early republic were deeply divided over whether to support France in its war against Great Britain. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3781, International Involvement in the Early Republic
October 28, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAmericans have been involved in international affairs since the earliest days of the republic. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3780, International Relations
October 27, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteInvolvement with other countries is an inescapable part of American life. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3779, The Constitutional Convention as a Model of Civil Discourse
October 26, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteCivil discourse means reasoned discussion of political topics rather than emotional display. It's a skill practiced by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention that can be used today to bridge the partisan divide. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3778, Civil Discourse
October 25, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAmerica is a land of vigorous debate, but this can sometimes degenerate into personal attacks and deliberate falsehoods. Learn about the value of civil discourse on today's 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3777, The Role of Government
October 24, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAlexis de Tocqueville wrote that Americans mistrust government and turn to it only when they have to. Nevertheless, since World War II Americans increasingly looked to government to provide a social safety net. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3776, Opportunities and Perils in the Information Age
October 23, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteBetter technology does not mean that Americans are better informed. Find out why on this episode of 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3775, Electronic Communications and Participation
October 22, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAmericans have more ways than ever to monitor and participate in government, from court hearings, to debates on legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives, to city council meetings. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3774, A Nation of Immigrants
October 21, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAmericans' ancestors came from nearly every nation on earth, but we vigorously debate immigration policy and the effects immigrants have on American culture. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3773, E Pluribus Unum
October 20, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteE Pluribus Unum means "Out of Many, One." The United States has tried to attain this goal by balancing a diverse society with a common civic culture and constitutional ideals. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3772, Demographic Change
October 19, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe American people have changed since 1860. Population centers have moved south and west and life expectancy has increased. But scientists have recently noticed a disturbing new trend. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3771, Changing America
October 18, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe United States is changing. The Census Bureau expects that by 2050, the population of the country will be more ethnically diverse than ever. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3770, Two United Nations Covenants
October 17, 2019 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteTwo important United Nations covenants protect human rights, but the United States has never fully ratified either of them. Center for Civic Education