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Causes of the War of 1812
The War of 1812 pitted the fledgling United States against Great Britain in a second war of independence. But what factors influenced Congress’ contentious decision to declare war in the first place?
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Europe and the American Revolution
The American Revolution wasn’t just a fight between American colonists and Great Britain. France, Spain, and the Netherlands backed the rebels through financial and military assistance.
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Independence Day
The Fourth of July marks the transformation of the 13 colonies into a free and independent United States.
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Expansion and Settlement of the United States
Today, the United States is home to more than 330 million people. In this video, learn about how the population has expanded and changed over time.
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Treaty of Ghent
The War of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain, ended with the Treaty of Ghent. This historic agreement, negotiated in Belgium over five months, proved that the U.S. could achieve its aims through diplomacy.
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The Treaty of Paris
In 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution. This historic document secured American independence but failed to address important issues that would lead to future divisions.
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Who Was James Madison?
James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution”. In this video for US students grades 3-5, we learn about Madison’s remarkable life, career and legacy.
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The Slave Trade
The Triangular Trade was a complex system of human trafficking spanning three continents. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, it saw millions of Africans transported to the Americas.
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Enslaved African Americans in the Revolution
At the time of the American Revolution, enslaved Africans made up a fifth of the population of the Thirteen Colonies. Though they were initially barred from taking part in the war, eventually thousands did. But what part did they play...
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The Liberty Bell
In the United States, the Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. In this video, learn about the history of the bell, and why it is still important today.
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The Spanish Armada, Queen Elizabeth, and Sir Francis Drake
Learn about the history of Queen Elizabeth, Sir Francis Drake, the history of privateering, and one of the most famous naval battles of all time, the Battle of Gravelines between the British fleet and the Spanish Armada.
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British Wildlife: Red Squirrels
Red squirrels inhabit coniferous forests and deciduous woodlands in Scotland, Northumberland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Lake District. The Red Squirrel is the UK’s only native species of squirrel, and was once common across the...
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What is Presidents' Day?
Every year, on the third Monday of February, Americans celebrate Presidents’ Day. A federal holiday that originally began as a birthday celebration for George Washington, the first President of the United States.
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Charles Willson Peale: Artist of the Revolution
Charles Willson Peale was not just a painter; he was also a soldier, politician, and educator. His life and work offer us a vivid snapshot of Revolutionary America and its heroes.
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Mapp v. Ohio: Illegal Search and Seizure
Mapp v. Ohio was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that safeguarded the Fourth Amendment right to privacy after a Cleveland woman was wrongly convicted following an illegal search of her home.
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What is the English Bill of Rights?
The English Bill of Rights curbed the power and influence of the English monarchy and gave more power to their subjects. It’s the basis for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today.
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Building the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a vital trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its fascinating story goes back hundreds of years.
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What is the Magna Carta?
It was written over 1,000 years ago, and commissioned by an English King – so what makes the Magna Carta one of the most important documents in US history?
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What are Unalienable Rights?
What are unalienable rights and why are they so important? In this video, we explore why Thomas Jefferson included them for the first time in the Declaration of Independence.
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What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day takes place every year on November 11 to honor the bravery and sacrifice of all those men and women who fought and died for their country, during war and peacetime.
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What is the 4th of July?
Independence Day takes place every year on the 4th of July. It celebrates the day that the Founders of the United States declared their independence from Great Britain.
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The Strategic Dilemma: The Crimean War and the Quest for Limited Victory
This video provides a detailed analysis of the strategic challenges faced by the Allies during the Crimean War, focusing on their limited resources and the diplomatic and military strategies employed. It highlights the importance of...
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Strategic Deception: The Untold Story of Napoleon's Waterloo Campaign
This video provides a detailed account of Napoleon's strategic planning and the events leading up to the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. It explores Napoleon's attempts to rally the French nation by seizing Brussels, the role of spies...