Lesson where students explore the emergence of the American system of democracy and political parties between 1820 and 1850. Using paintings by George Caleb Bingham and Richard Caton Woodville, and a political cartoon depicting the...

Learning resource in which students examine primary source material for a look at the forms of dissent in U.S. history and the role dissent plays in a representative democracy. Questions for consideration are included.

The first unit of an online course on AP US Government and Politics. It explores key concepts of American government, including constitutional government, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, construction...

Lesson on how the character of American politics changed between the 1820s and 1850s as a result of growing popular participation. Complete set of resources including primary source material, teacher notes, vocabulary, and strategies for...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Use this lesson plan to teach how to use primary sources, in this case a speech, a letter, and an article, to show Eleanor Roosevelt's dedication to democracy, civil rights, and education. All the...

Lesson in economics and democracy in which students analyze the decision to outsource jobs and determine if globalization is a threat to American workers. Small group, independent and whole class work. Links to related material.

This is the complete text of the novel Democracy An American Novel by Henry Adams.

This is the text, audio, and video [7:40] of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech "The Great Arsenal of Democracy" delivered on December 29, 1940.

This is the text, audio, and video [41:07] of Burmese Opposition Leader, Aung San Suu Kyi and President Obama speaking at a press conference on November 14, 2014, in Rangoon, Burma where they discussed the new democracy in Burma.

A lesson plan with the goal to provide knowledge about the Athenian Court system and compare it to the American court system.

A large collection of Social Studies units, WebQuests, and games that focuses on teaching students how government works and the importance of being responsible, informed American citizens. Units are linked to state standards. A teacher...

This website provides historical background to the political events of the time Thoreau wrote "Civil Disobedience." It also includes background information about Thoreau and the text of Thoreau's essay.

With the end of major military action in Iraq, what obstacles do the people of Iraq and the coalition face in rebuilding their country? With this lesson, students will compare what is happening in Iraq to what happened after World War II...

Learning module on American Government prepares students to take the Ohio state tests in Social Studies on topics including Laws, U.S. Constitution, Rights and Responsibilities, Framework of Government, and Separation of Powers. Includes...

A list of terms presented by PBS and Newshour of the values that make up the foundation of American constitutional democracy and the preservation of political and economic freedoms.

Explore the ideas of Enlightenment thinker, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. His writings on natural and social freedom, the social contract, and democracy shaped the American system of government in a variety of ways.

Independence is so important to Americans. Congress for Kids provides a tutorial on this core value.

Students will create a brochure aimed at recruiting members of a special interest group. After selecting a group to research from a list that is attached, students will use the Internet to research the group, identify the primary...

A basic right in a democracy. We know we should vote, but does our vote mean anything? Good answers to some good questions. This site provides many classroom resources.

In this lesson, students examine primary source materials including the Book of Laws, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta in order to understand their meaning and to compare them. They then prepare an argument on...

Provides basic information about our government.

What happens when rights conflict? Explore sample conflicts: Free press vs. fair trial, religious rights in conflict, and Singapore: model society or city of fear? Great learning activities and lesson plans for teachers and students.

These notes prepared by a university instructor for a course on American society summarize Tocqueville's views of equality, despotism, and the problems of individualism in a democracy.

A virtual library exhibit about free speech, focusing on the principles that unite Americans and the conflicts that divide them.