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Constitutional history United States Constitutional law United States History Courts United States Democracy United States Legislation United States Local government United States United States Constitution United States Economic conditions United States History 21st century United States Politics and governmentSummary: September 24th, 1789—the First United States Congress establishes the basic structure of the Federal Judiciary. With this act, the American legal system becomes an entity entwined with our fundamental notions of democracy and fair government, equal in power and authority to the Executive and Legislative branches. This program guides viewers through the history of the Judiciary and illustrates...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: Although the office of the President personifies American leadership, the Legislative branch was actually designed to hold at least as much power as the Executive, if not more. Many Founding Fathers envisioned Congress as the primary governing body, given its closeness, politically speaking, to the people. This program examines the origins, history, and activities of the U.S. House of...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: Many equate it with the Presidency, but the Executive branch of our government is far more complex than that. Containing departments and agencies that directly affect the health, safety, security, and prosperity of the American public, the Executive branch is an administrative mountain with the White House at its peak. This program expands on that description, familiarizing students with the...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: The size and shape of American government is due in no small part to Chief Justice John Marshall. This biography focuses on his contribution to the status of the Supreme Court, his implementation of judicial review, and his advocacy of strong central authority for the protection of the new nation and its ideals. Outlining Marshall's youth on the Virginia frontier, the program describes his...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006
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Summary: Myths, misconceptions, and the march of time have obscured the true origins and legal details of Brown v. The Board of Education. This fascinating program connects viewers with the people, places, events, and ideas that shaped the landmark civil rights case. Interviewees include Cheryl Brown Henderson, daughter of lead plaintiff Oliver Brown; Zelma Henderson, who, until her death in 2008, was...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: Does the Constitution give the states or Congress the right to regulate commerce? In 1818, a steamboat was ordered to leave New York waters because it had no license to operate within the state. In this case, the Marshall court ruled that the federal government did have the power to regulate commerce and in so doing laid the foundation for a unified American common market.
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2007
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Summary: Congressman, senator, presidential candidate, and author-Eugene McCarthy was all of these, and one of the most progressive public figures of the twentieth century as well. This program offers a fascinating glimpse into the Senator's life, personality, and thinking. In interviews recorded during the last decade of his life, McCarthy muses on a wide range of subjects-from his early years in...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006
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Summary: Who determines what the Constitution means: the Supreme Court, Congress, or the President? This 1803 case established the judiciary's authority to interpret the Constitution. Marshall's insistence on the principle of "judicial review" of acts of Congress brought him into conflict with President Thomas Jefferson, but established the court's responsibility.
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2006
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Summary: How has the Supreme Court reinforced the Constitution's requirement for a strong federal government? Can the states interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government? This unpopular decision dealt a blow to states' rights by reaffirming the validity of the federal government to charter a bank (in Maryland) and striking down the state's attempts to tax this federally...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2008
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Summary: The laws of the criminal justice system are primarily framed by the Constitution, which sets the standards of due process. In this program, lawyers, prosecutors, and judges explain the differences between misdemeanors and felonies, the various degrees of crimes, and the elements of a crime. Investigation procedures in the gathering of evidence and statements are discussed. Legal experts and...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2005
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Summary: Is an imperial presidency destroying what America stands for? In this episode of the Journal, Bill Moyers sits down with retired U.S. Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich, who identifies three major problems facing American democracy-crises of economy, government, and militarism-and calls for a redefinition of the American way of life. Respected by Republicans and Democrats alike, Bacevich is author...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: In this edition of the Journal, Bill Moyers discusses the historical implications of electing Barack Obama to the highest office in the land with Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University, and Patricia Williams, James L. Dohr Professor of Law at Columbia University and author of Seeing a Color-Blind Future: The Paradox of Race. In addition, Moyers speaks with Kevin...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: The continued investigation into the epic scandal involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff is bringing to light additional revelations about corruption at the core of the U.S. government. This edition of the Journal-a condensed version of the acclaimed documentary Moyers on America: Capitol Crimes (item no. 35972), plus an update-further exposes the misuse and outright abuse of power in American...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: Part of the Ken Burns America Collection, this incisive documentary profiles our government's legislative branch. Narrated by David McCullough, the program uses historic footage and interviews with veteran political observers-including David Broder, Alistair Cooke, and Cokie Roberts-to detail the first 200 years of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Incorporating readings from diary...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 1988
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Summary: Burdened by a tragic family life, suicidal urges, and unsettled sexuality, Abraham Lincoln was able to employ his powerful wit and innate charm to transform his inner demons. Filmed as if through the president's own eyes, this episode of Biography captures the dark soul behind one of history's brightest lights. Interviews with leading Lincoln biographers such as Gore Vidal, Jan Morris, and...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011
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Summary: Was the inauguration of Barack Obama a progressive moment? In this edition of the Journal, Bill Moyers talks with political columnist and blogger David Sirota and The Wall Street Journal's Thomas Frank about expectations of the new administration and what must be accomplished for Obama to be considered a progressive President. Then, Moyers sits down with Columbia law professor and Nation...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: The populist governor of Louisiana and United States senator, Huey Long captured the American imagination with his dramatic speeches and promise of “Every man a king.” “The Kingfish” governed during the Great Depression, advocating public works and spending money on state highways, hospitals, schools, and old age pensions. Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns examines Long’s extraordinary career from...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 1985
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Summary: This fast-paced and informative program shows students how the Constitution established the Executive Branch, and provided for the separation of powers and the relationship of the Executive Branch to the Legislative and Judicial Branches of the federal and state government. Specific roles of the Chief Executive are defined such as Commander-in-Chief, Foreign Policy Director, Legislative Leader,...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2005
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Summary: This program explores the history and anatomy of the ongoing political debate over the idea of shifting power and authority from the federal government to the states and individuals. The program goes back to the founding of the country and examines the split between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton over how much power the federal government should have, through the Civil War, to the...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2005
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Summary: This program deciphers the legislative process by explaining how an idea metamorphoses into a law. In interviews, prominent legislators and lobbyists explain how a bill is conceived, moved through the House and Senate or killed in committee, amended, prepared for a vote, and sent for the President or Governor's signature.
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2005
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Summary: Interweaving the history of a nearly 70-year-old institution with the challenges it faces in the post-9/11 world, this program goes inside the Pentagon, America's military center of gravity. Along its echoing corridors, some 23,000 people are absorbed in countless different tasks. But entering the concentric gem-shaped building entails more than peering into offices and computer banks. Viewers...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2010
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Summary: How far can a President go to defend the nation? This program examines the unprecedented presidential power that some say has been amassed by the Bush administration-and wielded, often secretly, in the name of national security. Bill Moyers gets perspective from two experts on the limits and abuses of federal power: Charles Fried, who teaches Constitutional law at Harvard Law School and served...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
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Summary: America's unions have bet on Barack Obama to initiate a recovery that will revive not only the economy, but the organized labor movement as well. In this program, Bill Moyers and United Steelworkers International's Leo Gerard address topics ranging from economic justice for workers, to the future of American manufacturing, to Gerard's hopes for how unions will fare under the Obama...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2009
View online at AVOD
Summary: In this program, various legal experts explain pretrial and trial procedures, pointing out along the way differences in juvenile proceedings. Judges and lawyers navigate the pretrial process, beginning with the establishment of probable cause and formal charging by grand jury. Indictment, pretrial release, bail, and arraignment are also discussed. Such concepts as an alibi, burden of proof, and...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2005