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  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:

• 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.

In this Episode:

• Introduction to the Constitutional Convention and the weekly podcast
• The road to the convention: The Revolutionary War
• The road to the convention: The American confederation debate
• The road to the convention: The Articles of Confederation
• The issues of the convention: Representation, Taxation, Slavery, State Sovereignty and much more.