National Constitution Center
First Amendment Religion Part I
An informative resource shares background information on the importance of protecting religious freedom. Individuals learn how some American colonies forced religion upon people, giving rise to the desire to worship freely without...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Speech and Press Part II
It's hard to overstate the importance of protecting speech and freedom of the press. Scholars learn how free speech is an important part of an individual's natural rights and a way to form opinions. The video also discusses ways the...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Speech and Press Part I
The First Amendment does not always protect free speech. An informative video focuses on how the government has interpreted free speech over the years and efforts like the Sedition Act to limit free speech. Academics learn how our...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Overview Part II
The First Amendment Overview video delves into examples of citizen's rights. Young academics learn how First Amendment rights have been protected in real-life examples. The video also explains that the rights laid out in the Amendment...
National Constitution Center
First Amendment Overview Part I
The Declaration of Independence details the natural rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. The video explains these rights, including freedom of speech and non-violent protest. Scholars learn why specific rights were guaranteed and...
National Constitution Center
14th Amendment Discussion Starter: The Black Codes
The Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws were rules that served the same purpose: to restrict the rights of African Americans. Young historians watch performers read Black Code laws from different states to explain how African Americans were...
National Constitution Center
14th Amendment Discussion Starter: The 39th Congress Debates
The ratification process for the Fourteenth Amendment that granted citizenship to everyone male born in the United States was contentious. The video reenacts a portion of the 39th Congressional debates focusing on the ratification of the...
National Constitution Center
14th Amendment Discussion Starter: The Emancipation Proclamation
In 1863 life forever changed for African American slaves when the Emancipation Proclamation was announced. An interesting video clip shows two actors reading excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation and a letter by a slave named Annie...
C-SPAN
On This Day: 26th Amendment is passed by Congress
The Twenty-sixth Amendment greatly altered voting rights in the United States. Engaging video clips explain why the amendment was created and how it has impacted voter turnout over the years.
C-SPAN
On This Day: Constitution Day
Constitution Day celebrates the evolving principles that guide our nation from 1789 all the way to today. The resource celebrates Constitution Day with an overview of the principles and laws that guide the government. Scholars see events...
National Constitution Center
Federalism
Federalism divides power to protect individual rights while giving the government enough power to be effective. The concept comes from a balance the Founding Fathers struck between authority and freedom. Scholars explore the relationship...
National Constitution Center
14th Amendment with Tomiko Brown-Nagin
What do marriage equality, protection from racial discrimination, and protection from gender-based discrimination have in common? According to Harvard professor Tomiko Brown-Nagin, the Fourteenth Amendment protects all Americans in these...
Crash Course
Legal System Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #18
Do the courts only exist to punish people? Scholars investigate the many roles the criminal justice system plays in the United States government and politics. They research a short video clip to better understand and analyze the role the...
Crash Course
Media Policy and You: Crash Course Media Literacy #9
Sharing is caring! How much does your class know about the laws that govern sharing on social media and other areas of the Internet? The video, part of an ongoing series about media literacy, examines copyright laws, intellectual...
Bill of Rights Institute
Interstate Commerce and the Constitution
Who had power over trade in the early days of the United States? Who has power now? Viewers investigate the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. Using an AP Exam review video, learners examine issues surrounding authority...
Curated OER
Constitution Lecture 6: Who is the Ultimate Arbiter?
Is there one ultimate arbiter who has the final say on issues or questions related to whether as act is constitutional or not? Lecture six discusses the powers each branch of the government has in making final judgments on constitutional...
Curated OER
Constitution Lectures 1: The Non-Consent of the Governed
A lot of interesting questions are posed in this video series on the Constitution. While the narrator informs listeners about the laws and intricacies of the US Constitution, he also pushes them to consider the tyranny of the US...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: American Legal History: Colonial Era to 1800
A presentation by Larry Kramer detailing the development of constitutional law, common law, rights and the judicial system of the new government in the just independent United States. Understand and identify the meanings of how the...
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Rule of Law as an Essential Element of Constitutionalism
The rule of law is a primary element of constitutionalism. It allows for the judiciary to review those laws created by legislature to determine whether they uphold the constitution or not. [1 min. 12 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: The Elements of Democracy: Constitutions as Higher Laws.
A constitution is a higher law that can be changed by the sovereign people.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Amendments and Judicial Review Part 14: Marshall's Arguments
What were John Marshall's arguments in favor of judicial review? Find out on today's podcast.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Constitutionalism
Under a constitutional system, no one is above the law. The power is limited and the law is designed to protect the people. [1 min. 7 secs.]
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics: Episode 200 Legislative Supremacy Part 2
On today's podcast, we discuss the reasons for states' confidence in legislative supremacy.
Center For Civic Education
60 Second Civics:the Original Intent Method of Constitutional Interpretation
On today's 60-Second Civics, we learn about the "original intent" method of constitutional interpretation.