TED-Ed
TED-ED: How to recognize a dystopia - Alex Gendler
The genre of dystopia _ the 'not good place'_ has captured the imaginations of artists and audiences alike for centuries. But why do we bother with all this pessimism? Alex Gendler explains how dystopias act as cautionary tales _ not...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: What did democracy really mean in Athens? - Melissa Schwartzberg
While we might consider elections to be the cornerstone of democracy, the Athenians who coined the term actually employed a lottery system to choose most of their politicians. Melissa Schwartzberg describes the ins and outs of the...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: The rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire - Marian H. Feldman
Before the sun never set on the British Empire; before Genghis Khan swept the steppe; before Rome extended its influence to encircle the Mediterranean Sea; there was ancient Assyria. Considered by historians to be the first true empire,...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The story behind the Boston Tea Party - Ben Labaree
In 1776, American colonists were taxed heavily for importing tea from Britain. The colonists, not fans of "taxation without representation", reacted by dumping tea into the Boston Harbor, a night now known as the Boston Tea Party. Ben...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: Why is the US Constitution so hard to amend? - Peter Paccone
When it was ratified in 1789, the US Constitution didn't just institute a government by the people _ it provided a way for the people to alter the Constitution itself. And yet, of the nearly 11,000 amendments proposed in the centuries...
Curated Video
What are the Different Forms of Government?
Every country on Earth is run by some form of government – but there are many different kinds, from autocracies and oligarchies to direct and representative democracies.
Curated Video
Civic Virtue & Democratic Principle
“Civic Virtue and Democratic Principle” defines the terms civic virtue and democratic principles and discusses examples of each in terms of community and the classroom.
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Separation of Powers
The U.S. federal government consists of three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Each one has a distinct role, ensuring a balance of power that protects the institution.
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Rule of Law
U.S. Citizens are required to follow the rule of law, a practice that was tested by former president Richard Nixon.
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U.S. Territories
Those who take the U.S. Citizenship Test are expected to know how the five U.S. Territories became a part of the United States and what rights their residents have.
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Citizenship and Personal Responsibility
This lesson explains how citizenship includes obligations by describing examples of how citizens exercise personal responsibility.
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Liberties in the First Five Amendments
Liberties in the First Five Amendments clarifies how amendments protect individual rights against government interference by exploring amendments one through five of the Bill of Rights.
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Civic Duties and Responsibilities 2
Civic Duties and Responsibilities explains how citizenship includes obligations by describing examples of how citizens exercise civic responsibility.
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Affecting Change in Your Community
Affecting Change in Your Community examines the responsibilities of citizens by evaluating ways to assist government as they address problems that directly affect communities.
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Article Two: Structure of Powers of Executive Branch
Article Two: Structure of Powers of Executive Branch explains the responsibilities of the executive branch, including the role of the president, by analyzing Article II of the Constitution.
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Paths to Citizenship
This lesson teaches the student about the constitutional provisions establishing citizenship by defining and discussing native-born, or automatic, citizenship and naturalized citizenship and how they are obtained.
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Rule of Law: Guardian of Freedom
This lesson teaches the student about how the rights of all Americans are protected by exploring the rule of law and identifying examples as related to individual rights and the common good.
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A Constitution at Last
"A Constitution at Last" analyzes opposing beliefs by comparing the viewpoints of the Federalists and Antifederalists concerning ratification of the Constitution and inclusion of the Bill of Rights.
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State Constitutions
"State Constitutions" shows the importance of a state constitution and how it works in conjunction with its national counterpart by breaking down the key branches.
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The First Five Amendments
"The First Five Amendments" clarifies how amendments protect individual rights against government interference by exploring amendments one through five of the Bill of Rights.
Curated Video
Compare Types of Democracy
"Compare Types of Democracy" analyzes the purposes, structure, and functions of various types of direct and representative democracies.
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Dictatorships and Theocracies
"Dictatorships and Theocracies" analyzes the purposes, structure, and functions of dictatorships and theocracies.
Curated Video
Types of Monarchies
"Types of Monarchies" analyzes the purposes, structure, and functions of absolute and constitutional monarchies.
Curated Video
What are the Different Forms of Government?
Every country on Earth is run by some form of government – but there are many different kinds, from autocracies and oligarchies to direct and representative democracies.