Curated Video
Mottos and Symbols
A motto is a saying that stands for what a person, an organization or a country believes in. The United States of America has had two mottos. Let’s learn what they are and what they mean.
Curated Video
What is Constitution Day?
Constitution Day takes place every year on September 17. It celebrates the written document that outlines the rights and freedoms of U.S. citizens.
Curated Video
What is the 4th of July?
Independence Day takes place every year on the 4th of July. It celebrates the day that the Founders of the United States declared their independence from Great Britain.
Curated Video
Muckrakers... or Investigative Journalists?
An essential part of any functioning democracy - the press helps to make governments accountable for their actions; but when the first investigative reporters started working in the United States, not everyone saw them as a good thing.
Curated Video
Gerald Ford: The Unelected President
Gerald Ford holds a unique place in the history of U.S. politics – as the only American to hold the office of Vice President and President without ever winning a national election. Who was he, and what was his presidency like?
Curated Video
The Rise and Fall of Communism in Hungary: A Journey to Democracy
This video discusses Hungary's political landscape in the aftermath of World War II, focusing on the Communist Party's rise to power through manipulation and suppression of opposition. It highlights the struggles faced by Prime Minister...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Larry Sabato - Politics is a Good Thing
Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and a university professor, discusses his life-long dedication to politics and civic engagement. Having been politically active since he was a seven-year-old...
One Minute History
Evolution of Democracy: From Ancient Greece to Global Expansion
This video traces the evolution of democracy from ancient Greece to modern times, highlighting key moments such as Athenian democracy, the Roman Republic, Magna Carta, and the American Revolution. The narrative showcases how democracy...
Curated Video
Should Monarchies Still Exist in the 21st century? | Debate with J.J. McCullough
Should Monarchies Still Exist in the 21st century? | Debate with J.J. McCullough
Wonderscape
Exploring Democracy: Power to the People
This video delves into the essence of democracy, highlighting its origins in ancient Greece and its evolution into modern forms. It underscores the significance of citizen participation in democracies, focusing on the power of voting in...
Wonderscape
Understanding Constitutional Governments and Their Functioning
This video explores the concept of constitutional government, tracing its historical origins and modern implementations. It examines how constitutions act as a framework for governance, detailing the role of constitutions in democracies...
Wonderscape
Governance Systems Explored: Monarchies and Their Variants
This video delves into monarchies as a form of government, distinguishing between absolute and constitutional types. It explores the historical evolution of monarchies and how hereditary succession determines rulership, citing examples...
Wonderscape
Nelson Mandela's Legacy: From Freedom to Presidency
This video covers Mandela's transition from prisoner to president, focusing on his dedication to rebuilding South Africa and fostering unity post-apartheid. It highlights his Nobel Peace Prize win, his election as the first Black...
Curated Video
Tyranny of the Majority
Four different perspectives from leading researchers on the threat of majoritarian rule or “tyranny of the majority". Featured are: Quentin Skinner (QMUL), John Dunn (University of Cambridge), Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) and author Matthew...
Curated Video
What Are The Different Types Of Democracy?
A democracy is simply a system of government where the citizens directly exercise their power and have the right to elect government representatives who collectively create a government body for the entire nation (like a parliament). In...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Matthew Delmont - Beaumont to Detroit by Langston Hughes
Matthew Delmont is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History at Dartmouth College. A Guggenheim Fellow and expert on African American history and the history of civil rights, he is the author of four books: Black...
Curated Video
Lincoln’s Famous Words
Dr. Forrester reads and explains the meaning of the Gettysburg Address; President Abraham Lincoln’s famous words during the Civil War.
One Minute History
180 - Voting Rights Act - One Minute History
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to combat racial discrimination in voting. This historic law sought to dismantle barriers that had long prevented minority groups from...
Curated Video
U.S. Territories
Those who take the U.S. Citizenship Test are expected to know how the five U.S. Territories became a part of the United States and what rights their residents have.
Curated Video
The Untold Know Nothings
In the mid 19th century a new political party, the Know Nothings, set the stage for xenophobia and nationalism to take root in American politics.
Curated Video
The Showdown: MacArthur v. Truman
History is packed with epic rivalries, but when U.S. President Harry S. Truman went up against Five Star General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War – there was only going to be one winner.
Curated Video
The Pentagon Papers: Explained
The Pentagon Papers revealed how the U.S. government had lied to the public about its involvement in the Vietnam War. Leaked by the New York Times, this opened the door for future whistleblowers to expose the truth.
Curated Video
The History of the Rainbow Flag
The rainbow flag is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world, synonymous with tolerance and LGBTQ+ rights. But how was it created?
Curated Video
The Federal Election Commission
How do you know that the politicians you vote for will represent your interests in office – and not those of powerful corporations? Well, there’s a law for that, and an independent regulatory agency: the Federal Election Commission.