In this episode:

• The Sons of Liberty formed to fight the abuses of The Stamp Act.
• The original groups formed in places like Boston and New York City.
• The growth, acts and networks of The Sons of Liberty.
• The response of various authorities to The Sons of Liberty.
• The lasting effects of The Sons of Liberty and their influence on The Revolutionary War.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 6, “The Albany Plan of Union.”

In this episode:

• How the Albany Plan of Union foreshadowed the future American republic.
• British  and French expansionist policies and their relationship with Native American tribes.
• Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Hutchinson’s role in forming the plan of union.
• The rejection of the plan by the colonial legislatures.
• The question of a central taxing authority and the upcoming French and Indian War.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 5, “The Great Awakening.”

In this episode:

• How the Great Awakening contributed to American political thought and influenced the Founding Fathers.
• A look at two prominent figures in the Great Awakening: Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield.
• How the democratization of the Christian church influenced perceptions on political authority.
• The influence of natural rights and public morality derived from religion on American governance.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 4, “The Legacy of the Colonial Legislatures and Self Government.”

In this episode:

• The role of the colonial legislatures and the principle of self government is essential to understanding the attitudes that drove the American Revolution.
• A brief look at three colonial legislatures in Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut and how they operated.
• An examination of British Governors and their executive power.
• A special look at local governments in the American founding era and their exercise of self government.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 2, “First Ventures.”

In this episode:

• The first English settlements: Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth.
• The establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
• The Dutch founding of New York and New Jersey.
• Catholics form their own colony in Maryland.
• Other early colonies.

Ned Ryun Begins a New Podcast Series Entitled, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 1, “The Die is Cast.”

In this episode:

• An overview of the events, figures and key points of debate leading up to the Declaration of Independence.
• Would the Second Continental Congress declare independence?
• What acts and military events led to the consideration of independence?
• Would all of the states agree to declare independence?
• Who wrote the Declaration and who were its signers?

In this Episode:

• The Ratification Debates begin.
• Giants like George Mason, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee oppose the Constitution.
• The Constitution is sent to the Continental Congress for approval to send to the state legislatures.
• An analysis of the task ahead of the Federalists.
• The Anti-Federalists suffer major losses in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Georgia and New Jersey.

In this Episode:

• The Constitution enters the ratification phase as dictated by Article VII.
• Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay author the Federalist Papers to convince New York citizens to ratify the Constitution.
• Anti-Federalists George Clinton and Robert Yates lobby against the Constitution in their own writings, but are largely overshadowed by the Federalist Papers.
• A look at the first states to ratify the Constitution.
• Examining three important Federalist Papers: Number 10 (a discussion on factions and contrasting democracies and republics), Number 51 (a discussion on the need of government, checks and balances and separation of powers), and Number 78 (a discussion on the judicial branch).

In this Episode:

• The Constitutional Convention and slavery, part two.
• Connecticut and South Carolina continue to work together to prevent prohibitions of slave imports and taxes on exports.
• Various delegates provides their views.
• The similarities between the Constitutional Convention language on slavery and the Northwest Ordinance.
• An analysis of the deep south’s strategy and position.

In this Episode:

• Slavery, the Fugitive Slave Clause, and the Three-Fifths Compromise
• A discussion on slavery, the Constitutional Convention, and the U.S. Contitution
• William Lloyd Garrison and Fredrick Douglass’ views on the Constitution
• The divisions between North and South
• An alliance between Connecticut and the Southern states over exports
• An analysis of the Convention’s handling of the slavery issue

In this Episode:

• The life of Roger Sherman, signer of America’s first four founding documents.
• Sherman lives the typical American life beginning as a cobbler and ending as a national statesman.
• Sherman’s political and legal career in Connecticut.
• Sherman’s role in the Continental Congress and in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
• Colleagues praise Sherman’s character.
• Sherman’s role in the Great Compromise.
• Sherman’s deep religious beliefs and strident opposition to paper money.

In this Episode:

• The city of Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention.
• An overview of the Constitutional Convention delegates.
• Notable Constitutional Convention absences.
• A short look at the 55 delegates, part 1.
• Delegates from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware.