Curated Video
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.
SciShow
Great Minds: Benjamin Franklin, Founding Nerd
Did Benjamin Franklin really fly a kite to discover electricity? Answers this question and many others with a video that discusses Franklin and his contributions to science. There isn't time to cover all of his inventions and...
Curated OER
Lesson 1/4 - American Colonial Reactions, 1763-1776
A fine video on the decades leading up to the American Revolutionary War awaits your class. The concepts covered include colonial growth, the colonials' reaction to British authority, the Minutemen, the Sons of Liberty, and the Boston...
Curated OER
Lesson 2/4 - The British Empire and the Revolution
Here is part two of this terrific four-part series on the American Revolutionary War. Concepts covered include trade and the British Empire, the debt from the Seven Years' War, Colonial interests in trade in the East India Company, the...
Curated OER
John Adams - God Save The American States
A moving video which portrays a famous speech by John Adams to his colleagues at the Constitutional Convention, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence will captivate viewers. The actors are dressed in period clothing and...
C-SPAN
On This Day: The Stamp Act
A thought-provoking resource explains the motives behind the Stamp Act, how it worked, and the colonists' reactions to the new tax. High school scholars also learn how the French and Indian War impacted the creation of the Stamp Act.
C-SPAN
On This Day: Benedict Arnold
Was Benedict Arnold a friend or foe of the American Revolution? An interesting resource explains that Arnold was a prominent leader of the American Revolution and why he made the decision to betray his fellow soldiers. Scholars learn of...
C-SPAN
On This Day: The End of the French and Indian War
Most Americans don't connect the French and Indian War with the American Revolution. Yet, scholars consider the expensive war as a major cause of the conflict. Watching video clips of historians speaking about the conflict, budding...
C-SPAN
On This Day: Life and Contributions of Alexander Hamilton
Historians have been fascinated by Alexander Hamilton long before he was the subject of a Broadway hit. Using video resources, scholars explore how his early upbringing as an orphan and social outcast may have influenced his role in the...
C-SPAN
On This Day: Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Many Americans can identify Thomas Paine and his seminal work, Common Sense. Yet, only six people showed up at his funeral. Using video resources, class members study both the document and the outcomes of his inflammatory words. Clips...
C-SPAN
On This Day: The British Surrender at Yorktown
Why was the Battle of Yorktown not as decisive in the American Revolution as many people believe? Young scholars consider the question while viewing video clips from historians who discuss the various factors that went into the American...
C-SPAN
On This Day: Boston Tea Party
Just how did loyal British citizens decide they would vandalize a shipment of tea coming into Boston Harbor in 1773? Using video clips that show the re-enactment of a debate about the Boston Tea Party and experts analyzing its historical...
C-SPAN
On This Day: Continental Congress Adopts the Articles of Confederation
While today, people laud the accomplishments of the United States Constitution, pupils sometimes forget that the Articles of Confederation came first. The documents—while flawed—raised questions of government duties and obligations as...
PBS
Independence Day | All About the Holidays
How do your students celebrate Independence Day? Watch a short video about how the Founding Fathers designated the Fourth of July as an annual way to commemorate their newfound freedom.
PBS
Patriots' Day | All About the Holidays
Celebrated the third Monday in April, Patriots' Day honors those who battled the British at Lexington and Concord. A short video provides an overview of events that led to the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
National Constitution Center
The Bill of Rights
While the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution to preserve liberty, not everyone was on board. The dissenters refused to sign on unless the Constitutional Convention added a Bill of Rights. Viewers explore these important civil...
National Constitution Center
Separation of Powers
After the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers were in a pickle. They needed to create a government, but how could they protect the people from a tyrant? The separation of powers was their answer! A video resource explores the history...
Crash Course
The French Revolution: Crash Course
An episode from a world history video playlist on the French Revolution presents a very rapid review of the key events of the revolution. It then provides viewers with the narrator's rationale for considering the French Revolution...
Macat
An Introduction to Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Most American are familiar with Thomas Paine's impassioned plea about the importance of liberty, but they may not be as familiar with the other ideas put forth in his pamphlet Common Sense. Introduce class members to Paine's...
American Battlefield Trust
Civil War Trust Animated Map: Entire Revolutionary War
A thorough and measured look at the American Revolution includes movements on an animated map, high-quality reenactments, and instructive narration that takes learners through the vital first steps of the United States of America.
Crash Course
Taxes
Though the learners in your economics class may only associate tax season with their parents poring over receipts in frustration, they will eventually be filling out their own tax forms before April 15th each year. A video from Crash...
Bill of Rights Institute
Constitutional Principles: Consent of the Governed
A government of the people, by the people, and for the people! Invite your class to really analyze the concept of consent of the governed and why it is one of the foundational principles of the United States Constitution and of...
Curated OER
The American Revolution (Sesame Street) - Part 2
The Sesame Street gang represents democracy at its most basic as the Founding Fathers vote to pick which bird should represent the new nation. Each colorful character presents his arguments using reasons why his bird is best. The group...
Curated OER
The American Revolution (Sesame Street) - Part 1
The Sesame Street crew take on the American Revolution. Part one depicts Thomas Jefferson attempting to write the Declaration of Independence. Unfortunately, he breaks his quill and Mr. Grover gets him everything but a quill. This is a...