United States Military History Teacher Resources

The 9/11 attacks propelled the United States into a period of low-grade war that has existed from that day all the way to current times. By looking at documents from the decision to send troops to Iraq in 2006, scholars connect the...

The audio of President Franklin Roosevelt's speech regarding Pearl Harbor teaches pupils about the attack and its impact on the United States' involvement in World War II.

The largest offensive in United States military history comes alive in a online interactive resource. Young historians explore the Meuse Argonne battlefield and scour the landscape for evidence from the battle. They then use primary...

Wow, now here's a presentation that tells a story! Your class can follow along the battle lines of the American Revolution to learn key players, dates, and events that marked each twist and turn in the fight for American independence....

Students examine the political situation in Haiti. They share their opinions on the role the United States should play in foreign governments. They identify the causes of the turmoil in the country as well.

Did you know that the president of the Confederacy during the United States Civil War did not originally advocate for secession from the Union? Discover more interesting facts about the first and only Confederate president with this...

At 69 years old, Ronald Reagan was the oldest man ever to be elected president in the United States. After reviewing a thorough history of Reagan's presidency, pupils read the main pro and con arguments to determine if he was a good...

Victory in World War II was by no means a forgone outcome for the Americans. A video resource paints a picture about what the Allies faced by the time the United States entered the conflict. Issues included both wartime production and...

While the War of 1812 may not have resulted in any great shift of territories, it did have significant effects on Native Americans and the status of the United States as an independent nation. Review the major events and lasting...

Was Bill Clinton a good president? Scholars set out to answer the question as they prepare for a class debate on the topic. They watch videos, review pros and cons, and read facts about the process of becoming a United States president....

Students explore U.S. History by writing poems. In this United States leader biography lesson, students identify elements needed to create a good poem, and write a Bio-Poem about themselves. Students utilize the same form to write a...

Students examine the military leadership of George Washington. In this military leadership lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research Washington's military experience and his successful military campaigns. Students...

Ninth graders explore the relationship between the United States and Japan. In groups, classmates research the treatment of Koreans and Americans as prisoners of war. Pupils examine the effect of politics and agreements during the war....

A "sleeping giant" through the many German invasions in Europe, America slowly starts participating in the war. First, America sells aircraft to Britain, makes its naval presence known in the Caribbean, and builds its artillery. This...

Students research different branches and special units of the United States military. They create and present performances that synthesize their research and demonstrate their understanding about the roles that these groups play in...

Students research the roles of the reserve armed forces in a variety of United States military conflicts, then create a documentary that illustrates the contributions of part-time soldiers.

The Battle of First Manassas, commonly known as the First Battle of Bull Run, was the first major battle of the Civil War, signaling a conflict that would last for many years and take many lives in the process. View an animated map that...

While Fort Sumter is largely known as where the Civil War began, its history goes back to the War of 1812. During the War of 1812, it was evident that the American coastline needed more protection. A video resource explores the reason...

The Twenty-sixth Amendment greatly altered voting rights in the United States. Engaging video clips explain why the amendment was created and how it has impacted voter turnout over the years. 

Consider how America's founding fathers and their experiences contributed to the rights we all enjoy today. A collection of reading, writing, and collaborative exercises prompt high schoolers to think about the ways their current lives...

The history, context, and ramifications of the Vietnam War are the topics of this lecture, which details the roles of China, England, France, and the U.S. in the conflict. A timeline and map guide viewers through the events of the...

If called, would you go? Should the US government have the power to impose a draft during any war? The Selective Service Act of 1917 (aka the Conscription Act of 1917) authorized the drafting of men into the military for only the second...

How does a nation turn into a global superpower? The 16th installment of the 22-part series on American history investigates the rise of the United States to global importance in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Groups...

Don some detective caps and delve into the past to explore the evidence left behind after the attack on Pearl Harbor. An interesting activity uses primary sources to explore how the United States Navy was caught off guard and how the...