The School of Life
Machiavelli’s Advice for Nice Guys
Scholars analyze the concepts of success, ethics, and Machiavelli's philosophy with an enlightening video. The narrator explains the main theories of Machiavelli in an easy-to-understand method and makes use of visual aids to enhance...
Bill of Rights Institute
Progressivism and The New Deal
Bust those trusts! Scholars investigate the Progressive Era leading to the New Deal in America. They examine the impact legislation had on attempting to control big business in the United States. Are there any parallels to today?
PBS
The Pilgrims: Native American Relationship to the Land
An informative video sets the context for a lesson that asks young historians to consider how cultural values influence perspective. Groups compare the attitudes reflected in a journal entry of a member of the Plymouth Colony to those of...
Channel Islands Film
First Contact
America began well before Jamestown, well before Plymouth Rock. An informative video introduces the 1542 Spanish expedition that explored the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. The voyage started with the attempt...
Tangient
Glory: The Movie Study Guide & Discussion Questions
Check out this simple and organized viewing guide for the film Glory! Questions prompt learners to consider the evolution of characters over the course of the film, and to analyze the effects of the film and the efforts of the 54th...
PB Works
Film Viewing Guide for the movie “Glory” (1998)
Check out this simple, ready-to-use worksheet that your young historians can complete as they watch the motion picture Glory. It begins with a very brief list of characters to track, followed by seven short-answer questions to be...
Library of Congress
Loc: congress.gov: The Legislative Process
A collection of short videos that explain the different stages of the legislative process, including the introduction and referral of bills, debate by a committee, placement on a calendar for discussion about whether it will be sent to...
Library of Congress
Loc: congress.gov: The Legislative Process: House Floor
Learn about the procedures followed by the House of Representatives when debating a bill. Watch the video or read the transcript which describes the committees and a variety of procedures the House follows. A chart of the legislative...
Library of Congress
Loc: congress.gov: The Legislative Process: Executive Business in the Senate
The Senate has two unique responsibilities: the power to make treaties and the power to confirm presidential nominees. View this video to understand how these powers fit into the legislative process. A transcript is provided, along with...
Library of Congress
Loc: congress.gov: The Legislative Process: Resolving Differences
A bill must be agreed upon by both chambers before being submitted to the President. This brief video describes how the House and Senate resolve their differences. A transcript is provided, along with a chart of the entire legislative...
Backstory Radio
Back Story Radio: Stuck: A History of Gridlock
BackStory episode examines the topic of legislative standoffs in Congress by looking at the history of Congressional gridlock and evaluating the outcome. Audio and transcript are provided.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Founding Principles: The Judiciary
Learn about how the Judicial Branch works. How does the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution? What's the difference between a "living" and "dead" Constitution? Is the power of judicial review established in the Constitution? In this...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Founding Principles: Congress
Learn more about Congress and why it's so important for a healthy democracy. Through a study of foundational documents like the Constitution and completing a careful analysis of lawmaking (and lawmakers!) students learn why Congress is...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Founding Principles: Lawmaking
Learn about the details of lawmaking- how it works and how it sometimes doesn't work. Students watch video, examine the lawmaking process and pay special attention to recent Congressional filibusters. [12:56]
Indiana University
The Center on Congress: Congressional Moments: Hear From Experts
Hear expert advice on how to analyze primary sources then use what you learned to analyze the photograph shown.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Congress: The Powers of Congress
Mr. Williams drops off to sleep for a few minutes to find himself confronted with a world in which Congress has been suspended and federal authority dissolved.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Gpo: Government Printing Office
In 1813, Congress determined to make information regarding the work of the three branches of Government available to all Americans. This is the inherent function of Government which GPO carries out for Federal agencies on behalf of the...
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Meet Your Federal Government
An introduction and overview of the structure of the U.S. government. A high school senior discovers the makeup of our federal government and how the three branches of government work. [15:00]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Three Branches of Government Part 3: A Deliberative Body
The Framers of the Constitution wanted Congress to thoroughly debate issues and avoid corruption.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics:the Three Branches of Government:broad Versus Enumerated Powers
How broad should be the powers of Congress? The Virginia and New Jersey plans proposed different visions of legislative power.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Reasons to Separate the Judicial Branch
Why is the judicial branch independent of the president and Congress? We find out on today's podcast.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Introduction to Congress
Explains the role of Congress in the American government, as a representative of people and of the states.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Congress and the States: Part 1
Explains the rules around the election of members to the House of Congress, and how long they may serve.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: How Congress Functions: Pt. 15: Resolutions
Resolutions in Congress can be simple or joint. They can be proposals for laws, for constitutional amendments, or for other matters.