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 task of passing a Bill of Rights is undertaken.
• Alexander Hamilton writes in favor in Federalist 84.
• Federalists use the Bill of Rights to gain support from Anti-Federalists.
• Bill of Rights inspired by John Locke, Virginia Declaration of Rights, English Declaration of Rights, among others.
• The five Great Freedoms of the First Amendment.
• The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

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  final debates at the Constitutional Convention center on signing questions.
• Elbridge Gerry, George Mason and Edmund Randolph all voice displeasure with the document and refuse to sign.
• A committee on style is formed to write the Constitution.
• A Bill of Rights is proposed and debated, but soundly defeated, only for the issue to be resurrected again during the ratification debates.
• Washington supports a measure to increase representation in the House to win over dissenters, but the dissenters refuse to sign.
• The Constitution is signed and the debate for its ratification begins.

In this Episode:

• The  development of the Judicial Branch in the Constitutional Convention.
• Should the Judicial Branch be combined with the Executive Branch?
• A description of the Judicial Branch in Article III and Federalist Papers.
• The Judiciary Act of 1789 and Congress’ roll in forming the Judicial Branch.
• Details on the original courts.
• A discussion on the evolution of the courts today, foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson.

In this Episode:

• The debate over the Executive Branch.
• Should there be one executive or a council of executives?
• Debates over terms, length of service and the executives relationship to the Congress.
• A discussion on the Electoral College and its roll in the 1800 and 2000 Presidential Elections.
• The eventual formation of Article II of the Constitution.

In this Episode:

• The Founding Fathers and separation of powers.
• The legislative branch intended as the final authority.
• The reaction against monarchy and despots as well as rogue legislatures like Rhode Island.
• The U.S. House of Representatives: features and debates.
• The U.S. Senate: features and debates.

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 battle over representation nears a compromise.
• Oliver Ellsworth reintroduces Roger Sherman’s “Connecticut Compromise.”
• Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer misses the vote, thus allowing Maryland to support the small states men.
• Georgia also splits their vote on account of Abraham Baldwin.
• The Gerry Committee is formed largely with small state sympathizers.
• The committee affirms equal representation in the Senate, but proportional in the House along with money bills originating in the House.
• These concessions permit the small state men to be open to other large state proposals.

In this Episode:

• The debate continues between the small state men favoring equal representation and the large state men favoring proportional representation.
• Tensions reach a critical mass.
• Benjamin Franklin calls for prayer before each session.
• Were the Founding Fathers deists?
• The men from Connecticut prepare to propose a compromise.
• The delegates end June in despair, almost ready to concede that an agreement could not be reached.

In this Episode:

• Alexander Hamilton’s life, part one of two.
• Hamilton’s early life as an orphaned and illegitimate son.
• Hamilton’s time at King’s College in New York City and his growing interest in the revolution and military strategy and tactics.
• Hamilton forms his own militia and later contributes significantly to several famous Revolutionary War battle.
• Hamilton’s post-war career includes law and the founding of the Bank of New York.
• Hamilton’s role in the founding of a new government.

In this Episode:

• Resuming the events taking place in Independence Hall.
• Summary of the large state advantage.
• Brief biography of William Paterson.
• William Paterson proposes New Jersey plan for small states to rally behind.
• The large states respond.

In this Episode:

• James Wilson, his life and contributions to the Constitutional Convention.
• Wilson’s early life in Scotland.
• Wilson’s close relationship with John Dickinson and Benjamin Franklin.
• Wilson’s public service and influence.
• Wilson’s bad land deals and other legal problems that lead to his demise.
• Wilson’s place in history.

In this Episode:

• Edmund Randolph introduces the Virginia Plan, an effort to increase the strength of the national government
• At the center of the Virginia Plan was Proportional Representation, a concept widely supported by the delegates from the large states.
• The small state delegates react negatively to any change.  They enjoyed Equal Representation under the Articles of Confederation.
• Intense debate over representation divides the convention.
• The large states dominate but push too far as the small states begin to push back.

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.