In this video, Dr. Lester Brooks, emeritus professor of American history at Anne Arundel Community College, explains how the Framers of the Constitution thought about fundamental principles embodied in the Constitution.

Center for Civic Education

Dr. Lester Brooks, emeritus professor of American history at Anne Arundel Community College, explains how separation of powers was a major issue at the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the new Constitution for the United States.

Center for Civic Education

Dr. Lester Brooks, emeritus professor of American history at Anne Arundel Community College, describes some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and explains why the Framers intended to amend it.

Center for Civic Education

The American colonists came from a variety of countries and for various economic, religious, and social reasons. Learn more about the diverse group that came to settle in the colonies with today's episode!

Center for Civic Education

The American colonists were not the first people on the North American continent. Native Americans had lived on the continent for at least 24,000 years. Listen to today's episode to learn a little more about Native Americans during colonial times!

Center for Civic Education

Many new arrivals to the American colonies found it to be a land of opportunity. Americans were a hardworking people and had the highest standard of living in the world.

Center for Civic Education

Who were the American Founders? Learn more about some of the people who laid the groundwork for the American system of representative government.

Center for Civic Education

The American Founders drew on a number of basic ideas and experiences to create the kind of government they believed would best protect the natural rights of Americans and promote the common good. Get introduced to some of the Founders in today's episode!

Center for Civic Education

The history of the American people has been a great adventure in ideas and in trying to make these ideas a reality. Over the next few weeks, 60-Second Civics will explore the important philosophical ideas and historical events that influenced the writing of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Center for Civic Education

How have American political parties evolved since the country's founding period? Dr. Lester Brooks, emeritus professor of American history at Anne Arundel Community College, traces the arc of the development of political parties in the United States in this bonus extended episode of 60-Second Civics.

Center for Civic Education