Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Promise to Draft a Bill of Rights
Federalists had to promise to create a bill of rights in order to get the Constitution approved. They were keen on following through because people were suspicious of the new governement. [1 min. 2 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Madison's Bill of Rights
Today we conclude our series on the organization of the U.S. government with a discussion of the Bill of Rights. James Madison developed the draft of the Bill of Rights based on amendments suggested by the state governments. [1 min. 18...
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Framers Part 1: Introduction
Today we kick off our 56-day series of biographies of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This constitution was to replace the Articles of Confederation. [1 min. 10 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Washington
How much to you know about George Washington? Brush up on your knowledge with this podcast. [1:24]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: James Madison
James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution. Do you know why? Madison was a delegate from Virginia in the development of the Constitution. [1 min. 23 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Mason
He insisted on a Bill of Rights and refused to sign the Constitution, but he's one of the most important figures in American constitutionalism. Meet George Mason, delegate of Virginia. [1 min. 14 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Edmund Randolph
Edmund Randolph, son of a Loyalist, was a delegate from Virginia. This Framer refused to sign the Constitution, but then supported its ratification. [1 min. 21 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: John Blair
This Framer of the Constitution helped draft the Virginia constitution, then the nation's. Check out this brief biographical podcast about John Blair. [1:21]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: James Mc Clurg
James McClurg was an accomplished Virginia doctor; at the Philadelphia Convention, he argued for a life term of office for the president. [1 min. 7 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Wythe
George Wythe was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but didn't sign the Constitution, but he worked to get it ratified. He lived to age 80, but was probably poisoned by a relative. [1 min. 9 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Oliver Ellsworth
Oliver Ellsworth contributed a lot to our country. He was one of the authors of the Great Compromise and is responsible for the Judiciary Act of 1789. [1 min. 5 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Samuel Johnson
William Samuel Johnson tried to be a peacemaker during the Revolution. Failing at that, he served as a delegate from Connecticut and helped write the Constitution. [1 min. 4 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman had a successful career by any standard. He served in the House and Senate and helped draft the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. [1 min. 15 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Richard Bassett
Richard Bassett was a man of accomplishment, like so many of his contemporaries at the Philadelphia Convention. Bassett represented Delaware at the convention. [1 min. 2 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Gunning Bedford Jr.
Today we learn about the Framer who was James Madison's college roommate. Gunning Bedford, Jr. represented Delaware in the Constitutional Convention after studying law in Philadelphia. [1 min.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: John Dickinson
John Dickinson had a large role in Revolution-era America. He had strongly opposed British taxation and helped write the Articles of Confederation and Constitution. [1 min. 15 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: George Read
George Read supported "dignified" protests against the British, but did not sign the Declaration. He argued for ratification of the Constitution as a delegate from Delaware. [1 min. 15 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Abraham Baldwin
Abraham Baldwin was a founder of the University of Georgia and a Framer of the Constitution. He represented Georgia at the Philadelphia Convention. [1 min. 3 sec.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Few
The British forced his family to flee to Georgia, but William Few became one of the state's first senators.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Houston
This Framer of the Constitution was criticized as having little or no legal or political knowledge. He was one of the first trustees at the University of Georgia and represented Georgia at the Philadelphia Convention. [58 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: William Pierce
William Pierce served in the Revolutionary War and helped frame the Constitution, but is best known for his descriptions of other delegates. He was a delegate for Georgia [1 min. 1 sec.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Daniel Carroll
One of the two Catholic signers of the Constitution, Daniel Carroll campaigned for ratification in Maryland. [1 min. 5 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention from Maryland. He supported the positions of James Madison and favored a strong national government. [53 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Luther Martin
Luther Martin did not sign the Constitution because he could not gain enough support for ideas he thought were important. Nevertheless, Martin favored a bill of rights, which was eventually adopted. [1 min. 17 secs.]