National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Thoreau's Critique of Democracy in "Civil Disobedience"
National Humanities Center lesson explores the criticisms Thoreau makes about a representative democracy form of government. Lesson includes interactive assignments, teacher notes, strategies for Close reading, follow-up and vocabulary.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Principles of u.s. Government
Tutorial presents an introduction to the principles of the United States democratic government highlighting the differences and similarities between Roman and U.S. governments.
Other
The Concord Principles: An Agenda for a New Democracy
Read Ralph Nader's views on taking back power from self-serving institutions and the political system. This article written in 1992 sets forth ten arguments of how democracy has been abused and the means by which citizens can regain...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Principles of Government
Outline of the man principles of U.S. government under the constitution.
Other
Representative Democracy Has Failed
This politically oriented site outlines the degeneration of American Democracy and the erosion of democratic principles as exemplified by unconstitutional actions on the part of the Federal and State governments, as in the examples of...
US Department of State
America.gov: Government of the People: The Role of the Citizen
A chapter taken from the U.S. State Department's "Outline of U.S. Government," that focuses on the foundation of American representative democracy. Provides comparison with other democracies, along with the essential role of the U.S....
Family Education
Family Education: Democracy Begins at Home
This article outlines the child's development in learning democratic principles and political attitudes.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Will You Join a Special Interest Group?
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...
Other
Yes for Liberty: Youth Educational Scholarship Constitution Bee
This organization seeks to educate youth about the Constitution and its founding principles. Each year they hold a Constitution Bee. Study materials and a quiz for learning about the Constitution are provided on the site, as well as the...
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Historical Documents
Ohio test preparation material on the important historical documents from which the principles of U.S. democracy are reflected. With video tutorials, practice, and assessment.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was an enigmatic figure. Find out about the progressive ideas he had for the federal government under his presidency, but also read some quotes about how he felt about true democracy.
Other
World Justice Project: What Is the Rule of Law?
Derived from internationally accepted standards, the World Justice Project's definition of the rule of law is a system in which the following four universal principles are upheld by four universal principles. These four universal...
The Newberry Library
Newberry Library: Library Exhibit: Outspoken: Chicago's Free Speech Tradition
A virtual library exhibit about free speech, focusing on the principles that unite Americans and the conflicts that divide them.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Selected (13) reading passages (grades 7-12) to pair with the dystopian novel "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. The World State's motto is "Community, Identity, Stability," and a cast of characters find themselves grappling with these...
PBS
Pbs: Rediscovering George Washington
Discussion lesson plan that introduces and examines the concept of government by consent of the governed. Includes a reading for class distribution and references to primary source documents.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
PBS features a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison, which deals with the principle of "judicial review." Opinion written by Chief Justice John Marshall.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Conflict Research Consortium: Minority Rights
This site provides a brief discussion on protecting the rights of the minority, and also provides links to related information such as majority rule processes, co-existence and tolerance of the majority and minority, and other issues and...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Human Nature, Government and Individual Rights
Overview discussion of the views held by Madison and Hamilton that people, in general, need to have written into the law certain checks and balances to guard against abuse of power, protect individual rights and encompass a pluralistic...
Digital History
Digital History: Declaring Indpendence
Read about the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence espoused by those brave souls who signed their names to the revolutionary document in 1776.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: United States Constitution
History for Kids provides an overview geared toward elementary age students of the history of the United States Constitution. Includes links to resources for teachers.