The American Idea

From 1776 to Civil Rights: How the Declaration Shaped the Struggle for Equality

May 6, 2026·52 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

The Abolition and Civil Rights movements are often presented as solutions to the failures of the American Founding, or replacements for its ideas. The relationship between the core ideas of America, as asserted in the Declaration of Independence and those of these two movements is complicated and has evolved over time. As we approach our 250th birthday, let’s take a look at how the Declaration is, in fact, the moral and intellectual foundation of both abolition and civil rights.Jeff is joined by Dr. Peter Myers, Professor of Political Science and expert in the politics of abolition and civil rights.Read Peter's book on Douglass: https://a.co/d/0b1TiSI3Host: Jeff SikkengaExecutive Producer: Jeremy GyptonOn Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/aTARALr9GxOn Spotify: https://tr.ee/09Ca21CCp-On iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-american-idea-119582945/

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