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 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 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 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 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 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  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:

• 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:

• 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.