Simple lessons on the history and nature of American Government.
America is an experiment. Americans refine and adapt their institutions through trial and error. The most important lesson about American Government is that “We’re in this together.” The Government is an extension of the individual and local communities.
It’s the duty of each citizen to learn his country’s history and know something about its form of government. This knowledge provides practical lessons for us today. We study history to profit from the experience of our ancestors. Political questions are constantly being discussed that effect our lives and property, issues which many of our ancestors dealt with. Sometimes they were successful, sometimes they failed. We owe it to ourselves and our neighbors to be as informed as possible. For if these political questions aren’t settled with wisdom they will be settled with ignorance. This is bad for everyone. James Madison said:
“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
This series is intended to educate and to unite. We’re in this together. Enjoy!
Part 1: Taxes and Government
01 – What Are Taxes? http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-what-are-taxes-or-where-do-we-put-our-poop/
02 – What Is Government? http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-what-is-government-im-glad-were-sailing-together/
Part 2: Foundations
03 – The First Governments http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-the-most-important-government-office-is-an-un-elected-position-what-is-it/
04 – America Isn’t Static; It’s A Living Experiment http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-america-isnt-static-its-a-living-experiment-its-a-novel-a-drama-and-were-the-writers-and-actors/
05 – What Is Federalism? http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-what-is-federalism/
Part 3: The Township
06 – Jefferson’s Passion: The Township http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-jeffersons-passion-the-township/
07 – Organization of the New England Township http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-organization-of-the-new-england-township/
08 – The Revolution is the Product of the Town http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-the-american-revolution-the-product-of-the-township/
09 – The New England Township Offices http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-new-england-township-offices/
10 – The New England Town Meeting http://sheridanhistory.com/were-in-this-together-the-new-england-town-meeting/
11 – The Origins of the Township http://sheridanhistory.com/civics-made-easy-lesson-11-the-origins-of-the-township/
12 – Parish, Manor, and Township http://sheridanhistory.com/civics-made-easy-lesson-12-the-manor-parish-and-township/
13 – Units of Representation: The Key to Freedom http://sheridanhistory.com/civics-made-easy-lesson-13-units-of-representation-the-key-to-freedom/
Part 4 The County
14 – The Origin of the County http://sheridanhistory.com/civics-made-easy-lesson-14-the-origin-of-the-county/
15 – The Ancient English Shire-Mote http://sheridanhistory.com/civics-made-easy-lesson-15-the-english-shire-mote/
16 – The English Bring the Shire to America http://sheridanhistory.com/civics-made-easy-lesson-16-the-english-bring-the-shire-to-america/