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.

In this episode:

• The high price tag of defending western frontiers and public debt leads British’s Parliament to pass The Stamp Act of 1765.
• The act begins the first unified resistance from the colonies against the crown.
• The act is enforced through Admiralty Courts.
• Samuel Adams leads resistance in Massachusetts.
• Committees of Correspondence help the colonies produce a uniform response.
• The resistance has only begun, culminating in a war and a new nation.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 12, “The Life of James Otis.”

In this episode:

• The life and contributions of James Otis.
• Otis’ role in the Writs of Assistance debate.
• The written works of James Otis as a foundation for the American Revolution.
• Otis’ premature departure from the public sphere due to failing health.
• The legacy of James Otis.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 9, “The Sugar Act of 1764.”

In this episode:

• The passing of The Sugar Act of 1764 and its contribution to the stirring of colonial rebellion.
• Taxation by the British Parliament in response to growing debts from the French and Indian War.
• The colonial response to The Sugar Act including efforts led by Samuel Adams.
• The growing unification of the colonies based on common plight.
• The stage is set for future conflicts over an overbearing British Parliament.

Ned Ryun Continues His Series, “Days of Revolution.”  Listen to Episode 7, “The French and Indian War.”

In this episode:

• The political and military tensions between Great Britain and France.
• The battle over land in the Ohio Territory.
• The dynamics of Native American tribes and the European powers.
• The early failures of Great Britain and George Washington in the French and Indian War.
• The engagement of the colonist militias help shift the war.
• The Treaty of Paris and the subsequent gains by the British.
• The headaches of managing new land and the question of taxation and colonialists.

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 3, “The Last of the 13 Colonies.”

In this episode:

• Roger Williams and the founding of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
• The establishment of Delaware and North and South Carolina.
• William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania as a place of religious toleration.
• The history of the settlement of Georgia.
• The interaction of European powers through their colonies.

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 continue.
• Massachusetts ratifies based on the leading of Samuel Adams and John Hancock and support for a Bill of Rights.
• Maryland ratifies despite Luther Martin’s opposition.
• South Carolina ratifies, while North Carolina remains an Anti-Federalist stronghold.
• New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify, fulfilling the obligations required by the Philadelphia Convention.
• Titans clash in Virginia, but the Constitution is ratified with an agreement to later support a Bill of Rights.
• New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island eventually ratify.
• A new government is formed and a Bill of Rights is passed.

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  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:

• 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:

• A short look at the 55 delegates, part 2.
• Delegates from New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina.
• Notable convention absences.

In this Episode:

• Massachusetts war debt and the raising of land taxes.
• Disgruntled farmers lead a rebellion under Daniel Shays.
• Famous figures give their opinion on Shays’ Rebellion.
• The rebellion is thwarted and some rebels suffer consequences.
• Massachusetts recovers economically, but Shays’ Rebellion still remains in the delegate’s minds as they head to Philadelphia.