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 3966, Hamilton's Idea for a National Bank
April 30, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAs secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton wanted to strengthen the nation's economy. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3965, Hamilton vs. Jefferson
April 29, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe views of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson about the powers of the federal government were often in conflict. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3964, The Rise of Political Parties
April 28, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Framers of the Constitution were opposed to the idea of political parties. Find out why on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3963, The Bill of Rights
April 27, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Bill of Rights was passed by the first Congress. It contains ten amendments. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3962, The Creation of the Judicial Branch
April 26, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteArticle III of the Constitution provided for a U.S. Supreme Court and said that Congress could establish lower courts as needed. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3961, Washington's Cabinet
April 25, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteGeorge Washington, the nation's first president, could not run the executive branch alone. To help Washington fulfill his responsibilities, Congress created three departments: the Department of State, the Department of War, and the Department of the Treasury. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3960, The Nation's First President
April 24, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteGeorge Washington had a strong sense of civic responsibility and felt that it was his duty to serve his country. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3959, Compromise on a Bill of Rights
April 23, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed over whether a bill of rights is needed for the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3958, Would the National Government Have Too Much Power?
April 22, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteDuring the debates over ratification of the Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed over whether the national government would have too much power. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3957, Would the Constitution Maintain Republican Government?
April 21, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteOne area of contention between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists was over the question of whether the Constitution would maintain republican government. The Federalists argued that it would; the Anti-Federalists argued that it would not. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3956, Three Basic Disagreements over Ratification
April 20, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe debates between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratification of the Constitution lasted for ten months. It was an intense and sometimes bitter political struggle. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3955, Meet the Anti-Federalists
April 19, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Anti-Federalists feared that flaws they saw in the Constitution would be a threat to their natural rights. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3954, Meet the Federalists
April 18, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Federalists were the people who supported ratifying the Constitution. They had a few advantages over the Anti-Federalists. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3953, James Madison's Plan for Ratification
April 17, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Framers knew that they had to get the Constitution approved, so they relied on social contract theory. The people would have to ratify the Constitution in special conventions in each state. The Constitution would be in effect after it had been ratified by the conventions of nine of the thirteen states. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3952, James Madison's Plan for Ratification
April 16, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteJames Madison wanted the Constitution to be ratified, and he knew it might not be if Congress or state legislatures were asked to approve it. So, he came up with a plan. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3951, The Balance of Power
April 15, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteToday, the federal government has far more power over the state governments than most of the Framers of the Constitution could have imagined. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3950, The Supremacy Clause
April 14, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Framers of the Constitution agreed that the powers of the federal government were to be greater than the powers of the state governments. This is clearly stated in the supremacy clause of Article VI of the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3949, Constitutional Limits on the Power of Government
April 13, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteA constitutional government means that the powers of government are limited. The U.S. Constitution limits the powers of both the federal and state governments. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3948, Federalism in Practice
April 12, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAs citizens of the United States, the people delegate certain powers to the national government. As citizens of the various states, the people delegate certain powers to their state governments. The people have kept certain rights or powers and have not delegated them to any government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3947, Federalism
April 11, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteFederalism is the practice of dividing and sharing the powers of government between a central government and regional governments such as state governments. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3946, The People Are Sovereign
April 10, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteToday's podcast explains one of the fundamental ideas behind American government: popular sovereignty. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3945, Unitary and Confederal Systems
April 09, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteIn a unitary system of government, a central government controls the state and local governments. In a confederation, the states are independent and have control of anything that affects their citizens and territory. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3944, The Supremacy Clause
April 08, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteWhat is the supreme law of the land? And what happens with the U.S. Constitution conflicts with a state law? Find out on today's 60-Second Civics. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3943, Original and Appellate Jurisdiction
April 07, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteDo you know the difference between original an appellate jurisdiction? Find out on today's 60-Second Civics podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3942, The Judicial Branch
April 06, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteArticle III of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch. A national judiciary was needed to decide disputes between state governments and between citizens of two or more states; it was also needed for disputes between the national government and a state or a citizen. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3941, Origin of the Electoral College
April 05, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Electoral College was created because the Framers of the Constitution were concerned that the people would not know enough about the candidates to make good choices. They were also concerned that the people might not always have the wisdom to select the best person for president. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3940, The Framers Debate How to Select a President
April 04, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Framers of the Constitution wanted a president who would be like George Washington, in fact, the expected Washington to be the first president. Washington was patriotic, honest, devoted to the public good, and not interested in using power for his own advantage. But they knew that no president would be a saint, so they discussed how to select future presidents who would be as qualified as Washington. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3939, Impeachment
April 03, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe process of impeachment is an important way to limit the power of the president and other federal officials and prevent the abuse of power. The House of Representative has the power to impeach the president and other federal officials. The Senate then holds a trial. Conviction and removal from office requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3938, The President Shares Power with Congress
April 02, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Constitution limits the powers of the executive branch by making it share most of its powers with Congress. For example, the president has the power to nominate people for important jobs in government, but only with the advice and consent of the Senate. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3937, The Powers of the Executive Branch
April 01, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteArticle II of the Constitution lays out the powers of the executive branch of government. It is much shorter than Article I and is written in more general terms. The Framers of the Constitution wanted an executive branch with enough power to carry out its responsibilities yet not strong enough to overwhelm the other branches. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3936, Checks on the Lawmaking Powers of Congress
March 31, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteIn this back-to-the basics episode of 60-Second Civics, we learn how a bill becomes a law, and how that law can become null and void if the Supreme Court decides that it violates the Constitution. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3935, Limits on the Power of Congress
March 30, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAre there limits to the power of Congress? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3934, General Powers of Congress
March 29, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteArticle I, Section 8 of the Constitution includes two general statements of power of Congress: the general welfare clause and the necessary and proper clause. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3933, Enumerated Powers of Congress
March 28, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteArticle I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution includes seventeen enumerated powers of Congress, including the right to impose and collect taxes and duties, borrow money, and declare war. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3932, Describing the Powers of Congress
March 27, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Framers of the Constitution didn't want Congress to have too much power. So, they gave Congress specific powers, called the enumerated powers of the Constitution, and they placed limitations on those powers. They also gave Congress some general powers to deal with unexpected situations. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3931, The Problem With General Language in the Constitution
March 26, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteLearn about the debate at the Philadelphia Convention over what powers to give Congress. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3930, A Strong Government, But Not Too Strong
March 25, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe American experience with the British government had caused many of the Framers of the U.S. Constitution to be suspicious of a central government and executive power. The Framers wanted the national governmet to be strong enough to protect the rights of the people, but not so strong that it would endanger those rights. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3929, Weak Congress under the Articles of Confederation
March 24, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Articles of Confederation, which was the framework for the first government of the United States, proved that it was not up to the challenges of its time. Congress was very weak, and could not control the actions of state governments. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3928, Slavery Compromises Delayed Conflict
March 23, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteNorth Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia would not have supported the Constitution without compromised that protected slavery in the South. This would have dire consequences for the country. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3927, Compromise on Tariffs and Slavery
March 22, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Constitution contained many compromises between Northern and Southern delegates in order to convince Southern delegates to support the system of government created by the document. Examples include allowing the slave trade to continue until at least 1808, the the three-fifths clause, and the fugitive slave clause. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3926, The Conflict Over Slavery at the Philadelphia Convention
March 21, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteDelegates from three Southern states at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 said they refused to be part of a union of states that denied them the right to own and import enslaved people. Delegates who opposed slavery faced a dilemma: include all thirteen states in the union or abolish slavery. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3925, Conflict Over Tariffs at the Philadelphia Convention
March 20, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThere was a conflict at the Philadelphia Convention over the issue of tariffs. The North was in favor of giving the national government the ability to levy tariffs in order to protect Northern industries, especially from British producers. The South feared that giving the national government this power would hurt Southern agriculture and the South's ability to buy manufactured goods from Europe. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3924, Economic Differences Between the North and South
March 19, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteEven during the founding period, the economies of the North and South were vastly different. This would cause problems in the years to come. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3923, One Person, One Vote in State Legislatures
March 18, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteBecause of the Great Compromise, reached during the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, each state has equal representation in the Senate regardless of population and proportional representation in the House of Representatives. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that both houses of state legislatures must follow the principle of "one person, one vote," meaning that representation in each house must be in proportion to the population. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3922, The Compromise That Passed by One Vote
March 17, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Great Compromise, reached by the large and small states at the Philadelphia Convention, provided for equal representation of states in the Senate and proportional representation in the House. The Great Compromise cleared the way for the completion of the Constitution. Nevertheless, it passed by only one vote. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3921, The Great Compromise
March 16, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteWith the Great Compromise, the large states and the small states at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 agreed to proportional representation and the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate, among other agreements. This ended the stalemate the had bedeviled the convention. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3920, The New Jersey Plan
March 15, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteAt the Philadelphia Convention, a stalemate occurred between the large states, which favored proportional represention, and the small states, which favored equal representation. The small states proposed the New Jersey plan, which favored a weak national government. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3919, Controversy Over the Virginia Plan
March 14, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe principle of proportional representation was the most controversial aspect of James Madison's Virginia Plan. Under his proposed system, both houses of Congress would feature proportional representation. The small states objected, and by the middle of June 1787 asked for time to come up with an alternative to the Virginia Plan. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3918, The Virginia Plan
March 13, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThe Virginia Plan was drafted by James Madison before the start of the Philadelphia Convention. Coming to the convention with a well-considered plan was a good idea. The Virginia Plan's idea for a system of federalism and legislative, executive and judicial branches made it into the Constitution. But Madison's plan for proportional representation in both houses of Congress did not. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 3917, The Conflict over Representation
March 12, 2020 07:00 - 1 minute - 1 ByteThere was a big disagreement at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 over representation in Congress. Large states argued that representatives in Congress should be determined by population. Small states, seeing their power slip away, objected, saying that equal representation in Congress was the way to go. Would they be able to compromise? Center for Civic Education