When William Henry Harrison dies in office in 1841, John Tyler, his vice president, assumes the presidency; setting a precedent for future presidential successions based on what would be called the ‘Tyler precedent’. November 22, 1963 -...

When William Henry Harrison dies in office in 1841, John Tyler, his vice president, assumes the presidency; setting a precedent for future presidential successions based on what would be called the ‘Tyler precedent’. November 22, 1963 -...

The drafting and adoption of the United States Constitution recalled many of the high ideals of liberty and freedom that were espoused during the Revolutionary War. But the compromises that were made to get all of the new states on board...

While the English were falling apart a little, with their civil war and their restoration and their succession problems, the Dutch were getting their act together. They were throwing off the yoke of the Spanish Empire, uniting their...

In 1789, the French Monarchy's habit of supporting democratic popular revolutions in North America backfired. Today, we're talking about the French Revolution. Across the world, people were rising up to throw off monarchies, and Louis...

In which Craig Benzine teaches you about the compromises met in ratifying the U.S. Constitution. The United State’s didn’t always have its current system of government. Actually, this is it’s second attempt. Craig will delve into the...

In the 1860's, 11 southern states withdrew from the United States and formed the Confederacy. They seceded in response to the growing movement for the nationwide abolition of slavery. Yet barely a year after the Civil War ended, southern...

A heaping helpful of Constitutional history as HipHughes dips and dives through the Constitutional Convention. A seasoned high school teacher of 15 years, this lesson is practical for any aged learner and entertaining for ages 1-99. ...

In March, the German national parliament in Frankfurt finalized a constitution for a united Germany, proposing a constitutional monarchy under Frederick William of Prussia. However, when Frederick declined the offer, citing a lack of...

In the summer of 1787, some of the greatest minds in American history gathered in Philadelphia to create a new framework for government. The Constitutional Convention was filled with fierce debates, high-stakes compromises, and visionary...

1787 - Delegates at the Constitutional Convention are divided on how slaves will be counted for the purpose of representation in the United States Congress. Northern states don’t want slaves to be counted at all, while Southern states...

A review of our first Constitution, the AOC. What were the Articles of Confederation? How did it run the United States? Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Mr. Hughes explains the basics of the Articles of Confederation including...

The House of Habsburg, one of the most influential royal houses in European history, played a pivotal role in shaping the continent's political landscape. Among their many significant contributions, the War of the Spanish...

Witness Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama take...

1776 - American patriots armed themselves and win their independence. After the Constitution was signed, the government was given the power to arm the patriots. That made some people nervous. The 2nd Amendment was born. “A well regulated...

1621 - Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag natives share an autumn harvest feast; this is believed to be the first Thanksgiving in the colonies. Despite objections, George Washington issues a thanksgiving proclamation to celebrate American...

Jim Crow era Alabama is about to witness a brave act of obstruction. Fifteen years old and pregnant, Claudette Colvin denies her bus seat to a white woman and is subsequently arrested for her transgression. Sound familiar? Colvin’s...

January 11th, 1755 - Alexander Hamilton is born in the West Indies. His employers pay for his education at King’s College, now Columbia University. After writing his first political paper, he joins the Continental Army and becomes an...

Jim Crow era Alabama is about to witness a brave act of obstruction. Fifteen years old and pregnant, Claudette Colvin denies her bus seat to a white woman and is subsequently arrested for her transgression. Sound familiar? Colvin’s...

1621 - Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag natives share an autumn harvest feast; this is believed to be the first Thanksgiving in the colonies. Despite objections, George Washington issues a thanksgiving proclamation to celebrate American...

The Senate tradition of the filibuster is a political action that allows lawmakers to prolong debate over a proposed piece of legislation. The goal of the filibuster is to delay or prevent a vote on the proposal. Senators can speak for...

The Senate tradition of the filibuster is a political action that allows lawmakers to prolong debate over a proposed piece of legislation. The goal of the filibuster is to delay or prevent a vote on the proposal. Senators can speak for...

When the American Civil War ends, the U.S. government enters Reconstruction with three amendments to the Constitution; slavery is abolished and former slaves are granted citizenship and the right to vote. At the state and local level,...

When the American Civil War ends, the U.S. government enters Reconstruction with three amendments to the Constitution; slavery is abolished and former slaves are granted citizenship and the right to vote. At the state and local level,...