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The Civil War and Reconstruction was a pivotal era in American history.

When a war was fought to save the Union and to free the slaves.

And when the work to rebuild the nation after that war was over

turned into a struggle to guarantee liberty and justice for all Americans. I'm

I'm Tracey and I'm rich and we want to invite you to join us as we take an in-depth look at this

pivotal era in American history.

Look for the Civil War and Reconstruction,

wherever you find your podcasts.

Well, I think the main lesson is how risky politics of a very open kind is.

In other words, the Athenians made terrible mistakes,

but they also made sure, as far as they were able to they didn't make them again So, I'm going to Often there's a debate in the United States as to whether we live in a republic or in a democracy.

And you saw this debate flare up particularly after the 2016 election,

since Donald Trump was elected through the Electoral College,

but didn't receive a popular vote win.

You saw the back and forth.

Do we live in a republic or a democracy?

I always found it to be an interesting question. I think a speech by James Wilson who was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1789.

He was a lawyer in Pennsylvania and a delegate from that state.

He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Redifying Convention and that Convention's decision in December

1787 as a big state approving the Constitution was so crucial for that document's success in its ratification.

James Wilson makes a speech, he makes several speeches to the Convention, but this particular speech may give some

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