The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins like this: andquot;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.andquot;  But what does andquot;We hold these truths to be self-evidentandquot; mean? We explain more in today's episode!
						  
							
							
							Center for Civic Education

60-Second Civics: Episode 5116, The Meaning of Self-Evident Truths: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Govt. in the Colonies, Part 14

60-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.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

The protection against unreasonable search and seizure was in part a reaction against the general warrants issued by the British that so enraged American colonists in the prelude to the Revolution. The Fourth Amendment and state constitutions protect against unreasonable searches and seizures.
						  
							
							
							Center for Civic Education

60-Second Civics: Episode 5134, Protection Against Unreasonable Search and Seizure: The Right to Privacy, Part 6

John Adams claimed that James Otis's speech against general warrants was the first act of colonial resistance to British policies.  Despite his fame, Otis's career would be ended by a violent attack by a British customs official.
						  
							
							
							Center for Civic Education

60-Second Civics: Episode 5133, John Adams and James Otis: The Right to Privacy, Part 5

General warrants were unpopular in the American colonies, where they were used to search for evidence of smuggling. In a  five-hour speech in February 1761, James Otis spoke out against them, saying that they would andquot;totally annihilateandquot; the British common-law tradition that andquot;A man's house is his castle.andquot;
						  
							
							
							Center for Civic Education

60-Second Civics: Episode 5132, James Otis Speaks Against General Warrants: The Right to Privacy, Part 4

General warrants allowed British officials to search people, businesses, homes, and property indiscriminately. British officials in the American colonies used such warrants to collect taxes, to recover stolen goods including -- enslaved people -- and to prosecute smugglers.
						  
							
							
							Center for Civic Education

60-Second Civics: Episode 5130, The Problem with General Warrants: The Right to Privacy, Part 2

Americans inherited from British history the principle that andquot;a man's home is his castle.andquot; This idea can be traced to the opinion of Sir Edward Coke in Semayne's Case in 1604.
						  
							
							
							Center for Civic Education

60-Second Civics: Episode 5116, The Meaning of Self-Evident Truths: The Basic Ideas of Constitutional Govt. in the Colonies, Part 14

Download our free app to listen on your phone