Why did the writers of the Declaration of Independence hold these Truths to be self-evident? Among other things, these Americans were deeply influenced by the teachings of Christianity and English republicanism.

Center for Civic Education

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins like this: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. But what does we hold these truths to be self-evident mean? We explain more in this episode!

Center for Civic Education

Americans share certain fundamental ideals, values, and principles. Today we examine these foundational beliefs for constitutional government in colonial America.

Center for Civic Education

Elections in the colonial era and in the early American republic were rather uncivilized compared to today's standards. Explore the differences between then and now in this episode!

Center for Civic Education

In the American colonies, the right to vote followed the British model: only free adult males who owned a certain amount of property could vote, though there were limited exceptions to this rule. Listen to learn more!

Center for Civic Education

Voting rights in colonial America depended on the ownership of property. In other words, a person had to own a certain amount of land, livestock, or other property in order to qualify to vote. Listen to learn more!

Center for Civic Education

Each of the thirteen American colonies had some features of representative democracy that we still see today. For example, each of the colonies had a legislative, executive, and judicial branch. Learn more with this episode!

Center for Civic Education

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is an important American founding document. The Connecticut Colony has its origins in 1636, when Thomas Hooker led a group of dissenting Puritans from Massachusetts to the Connecticut Valley. Learn why this document was so revolutionary in today's episode!

Center for Civic Education

Americans have had a tradition of written guarantees of rights since the time of the thirteen colonies. The Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641 provides a good example.

Center for Civic Education

Despite the presence of indentured servitude and slavery in colonial America, many Americans enjoyed written guarantees of their rights.

Center for Civic Education