Sketch of a lawspeaker surrounded by people.
History

Medieval Institutions of Representative Government

March 11, 2023

Medieval institutions of representative government were already well established long before the emergence of independent, self-governing towns in the 12th century. Habits of collective decision-making and mechanisms for regular local assembly were in place to counter the growing power of territorial monarchies. […]

Image of historical Dutch parliament building.
History

Governance in the Middle Ages

March 11, 2023

The framers of the United States Constitution were influenced by medieval institutions. In fact, the procedures for electing officials, judging cases, examining witnesses, and other practices central to modern governance were hammered out in medieval Europe. […]

Photo of a Black soldier saluting the US flag,
American History

Discrimination against Black Soldiers During WWII

March 8, 2023

Though 1.2 million African Americans served in the American military during World War II, most were assigned to noncombat units. This racial discrimination led to the launch of the Double V campaign. […]

Hands of Black people raised and clenched in fists to show their protest against racism.
American History

Asa Philip Randolph and Executive Order 8802

March 7, 2023

March on Washington chapters held massive pre-march rallies, which made President Roosevelt anxious. He promised Black labor activist Asa Philip Randolph of better treatment of African Americans. […]

Image shows a hammer on top of a tile with word racism written on it.
American History

Asa Philip Randolph’s Fight for Racial Injustice

March 7, 2023

In 1940,Asa Philip Randolph met President Roosevelt to lobby for nondiscrimination in defense hiring and for the desegregation of the military. Disappointed with Roosevelt’s refusal to interfere, he called on African Americans to march on Washington DC. […]

A portrait of Elizabeth I.
History

The Gender Issue and the King’s Two Bodies Doctrine

March 5, 2023

The doctrine of the King’s Two Bodies was used strictly in response to the need to lawfully sanctify and legitimise the succession of Elizabeth I. It remedied the problem of her gender, making it more palatable for medieval England to accept her as their ‘king’. […]

A painting of the court of Chancery.
History

The Rule of Law in Medieval England

March 4, 2023

Alfred the Great tried to have a unified rule of law, establishing shared legal processes and norms. In fact, in early medieval England, a jury of 12 men would regularly convene to settle disputes and give testimonies. […]

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