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Essentials: Government & Civics

A series of films exploring key moments in the history of civics and government in the United States. Suitable for Middle and High School.

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Season 1

Constitutional Foundations: Part Two

The U.S. Constitution transformed Enlightenment ideas about government, power, and rights into the laws that shaped the foundation of the United States for generations.

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220. Constitutional Foundations: Part Two

The U.S. Constitution transformed Enlightenment ideas about government, power, and rights into the laws that shaped the foundation of the United States for generations.

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Constitutional Foundations: Part One

In 1787, the Framers met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation but instead crafted a new constitution, drawing on principles from ancient civilizations.

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219. Constitutional Foundations: Part One

In 1787, the Framers met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation but instead crafted a new constitution, drawing on principles from ancient civilizations.

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The Fugitive Slave Act

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 gave the federal government new powers to capture and return escaped enslaved people, but its failures intensified divisions between Northern and Southern states.

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213. The Fugitive Slave Act

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 gave the federal government new powers to capture and return escaped enslaved people, but its failures intensified divisions between Northern and Southern states.

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Indigenous Peoples: Treaties and Alliances

From the close of the Revolution to the eve of Civil War, the U.S. signed 368 treaties with various Indigenous nations. Many were not upheld, leading to decades of injustice and distrust.

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129. Indigenous Peoples: Treaties and Alliances

From the close of the Revolution to the eve of Civil War, the U.S. signed 368 treaties with various Indigenous nations. Many were not upheld, leading to decades of injustice and distrust.

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The Economic Impact of the American Revolution

The American Revolution cost lives, livelihoods and millions of dollars in cold, hard cash. So how did the fledgling United States generate funds, and what impact did the war have on the U.S. economy?

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116. The Economic Impact of the American Revolution

The American Revolution cost lives, livelihoods and millions of dollars in cold, hard cash. So how did the fledgling United States generate funds, and what impact did the war have on the U.S. economy?

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Constitutional Compromise

In 1787, the United States government began a series of critical compromises that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution, but also ensured African American enslavement for generations to come.

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110. Constitutional Compromise

In 1787, the United States government began a series of critical compromises that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution, but also ensured African American enslavement for generations to come.

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Branches of Government

In 1787, the founders agreed to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new system of government. The Constitution divided power between the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary, each with its own roles and responsibilities.

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109. Branches of Government

In 1787, the founders agreed to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new system of government. The Constitution divided power between the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary, each with its own roles and responsibilities.

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Checks & Balances

In 1787, the framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia to create a new form of government. The checks and balances that they wrote into law have distributed power evenly, between three branches of government, ever since.

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108. Checks & Balances

In 1787, the framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia to create a new form of government. The checks and balances that they wrote into law have distributed power evenly, between three branches of government, ever since.

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Framers of the Constitution

In 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, 55 men were in attendance as the U.S. Constitution was created. But who were they, what values did they share and what factors influenced the decisions they made?

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107. Framers of the Constitution

In 1787, during the Constitutional Convention, 55 men were in attendance as the U.S. Constitution was created. But who were they, what values did they share and what factors influenced the decisions they made?

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The History of Federal Banking

Discover the turbulent story behind the creation of the United States national banks, in which all three branches of the federal government combined to safeguard the nation's economic stability.

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106. The History of Federal Banking

Discover the turbulent story behind the creation of the United States national banks, in which all three branches of the federal government combined to safeguard the nation's economic stability.

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The Early Judicial Branch

The U.S. Constitution established the Judicial Branch of government, outlining its foundational structure, and over time, its role and responsibilities have evolved through legal precedents and Acts of Congress.

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93. The Early Judicial Branch

The U.S. Constitution established the Judicial Branch of government, outlining its foundational structure, and over time, its role and responsibilities have evolved through legal precedents and Acts of Congress.

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The Early Legislative Branch

Established in 1787, the U.S. Congress created its constitutional foundation and developed legislative processes to enact laws that reflect America's evolving needs.

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92. The Early Legislative Branch

Established in 1787, the U.S. Congress created its constitutional foundation and developed legislative processes to enact laws that reflect America's evolving needs.

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The Albany Plan

Learn about Benjamin Franklin's revolutionary proposal for colonial unity, the Albany Plan of Union, and its lasting influence on the creation of the United States.

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90. The Albany Plan

Learn about Benjamin Franklin's revolutionary proposal for colonial unity, the Albany Plan of Union, and its lasting influence on the creation of the United States.

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Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise was designed to maintain a delicate balance of power in Congress between slave states and free states. But how did it come about, what did it mean and how did it contribute to the US Civil War?

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8. Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise was designed to maintain a delicate balance of power in Congress between slave states and free states. But how did it come about, what did it mean and how did it contribute to the US Civil War?

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The Early Executive Branch

As Chief Executive of the Executive Branch of government, the US President has immense power and authority. Power that comes primarily from the Constitution and the traditions set by our first four Presidents.

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7. The Early Executive Branch

As Chief Executive of the Executive Branch of government, the US President has immense power and authority. Power that comes primarily from the Constitution and the traditions set by our first four Presidents.

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