Crash Course
Enlightened Monarchs: Crash Course European History
Last time we learned about the Enlightenment, and the philosophers and thinkers whose ideas would shape governance for hundred of years. This week, we're learning how monarchs across Europe were influenced by those ideas. Adoption of...
TED Talks
TED: It’s our city. Let’s fix it | Alessandra Orofino
Too often, people feel checked out of politics — even at the level of their own city. But urban activist Alessandra Orofino thinks that can change, using a mix of tech and old-fashioned human connection. Sharing examples from her...
TED Talks
The Great Migration and the power of a single decision
Sometimes, a single decision can change the course of history. Join journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson as she tells the story of the Great Migration, the outpouring of six million African Americans from the Jim Crow South to cities...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: What did democracy really mean in Athens? - Melissa Schwartzberg
While we might consider elections to be the cornerstone of democracy, the Athenians who coined the term actually employed a lottery system to choose most of their politicians. Melissa Schwartzberg describes the ins and outs of the...
Curated Video
Exploring Citizenship
In this video, Echo the eagle discusses the concept of citizenship with Jade. They talk about the importance of being a good citizen and taking care of one's community. Through the story of Michelle, they explore how individuals can make...
Curated Video
Loving and Caring for Our Pets and Our Planet
In this video, the host of Kids Planet discusses the importance of loving and caring for our pets, as well as being responsible citizens and taking care of the places we share with others. The host emphasizes the need to show affection,...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Joel Westheimer - What Kind of Citizen? Educating Our Children for the Common Good
Joel Westheimer is University Research Chair in Democracy and Education at the University of Ottawa and an education columnist for CBC Radio. He began his career teaching in the New York City Public School system before obtaining a PhD...
Curated Video
Knowledge & Politics
Seven established researchers provide real-world examples of the relevance of TOK (Theory of Knowledge) concepts in their research. This interdisciplinary TOK Sampler explores the overlap between theory of knowledge and the political...
Wonderscape
The End of Jim Crow and the Fight for Civil Rights
Follow the relentless struggle for civil rights in the face of Jim Crow laws, from early desegregation efforts to the historic marches in Selma. Learn about the pivotal events that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting...
Wonderscape
The Struggle for Equality During Reconstruction
Explore the contrasting philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois during the Reconstruction Era and their approaches to challenging Jim Crow laws. Learn about the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson case and how the NAACP emerged...
Wonderscape
Ancient Greece: The City-States and Their Influence
This video explores the unique city-states of ancient Greece, highlighting key places like Sparta and Athens. Learn how these independent regions developed their own governments, cultures, and customs, with Athens being the birthplace of...
Wonderscape
How Do City Officials Get Their Jobs?
Learn how city officials such as mayors, city council members, and department heads get their roles. This content explains how elections work at the city level, the roles of volunteers and hired officials, and how voters impact city...
Wonderscape
The Council-Manager Form of City Government: Roles and Responsibilities
Learn about the council-manager form of city government, where the city council holds legislative and executive powers while a hired city manager handles daily operations. Discover how this system works in cities like Phoenix, Arizona,...
Wonderscape
Bank Runs and the Rise of FDR’s New Deal
This video covers the bank runs of the Great Depression, where panic led people to withdraw their savings, causing many banks to fail. It also explores the impact of widespread unemployment and how Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal...
Wonderscape
The Twenty-Third Amendment: Voting Rights for Washington, D.C.
This video explains the Twenty-Third Amendment, ratified in 1961, which grants the residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections. Learn how this amendment provides limited electoral votes for the capital city...
Wonderscape
Thurgood Marshall: The First African American Supreme Court Justice
This video explores Thurgood Marshall’s historic appointment to the Supreme Court in 1967 by President Lyndon Johnson and his legacy as a justice. Known for his strong stance on civil rights, Justice Marshall advocated for the rights of...
Wonderscape
The Louisiana Purchase: Jefferson’s Quest for New Orleans
This video explores the events leading up to the Louisiana Purchase and President Thomas Jefferson's concerns about New Orleans in the early 1800s. It covers Jefferson's efforts to secure access to the Mississippi River for American...
Wonderscape
The Long Struggle for Voting Rights in the United States
This video explores the lengthy fight to expand voting rights in the United States, focusing on key amendments and laws like the 14th, 15th, and 19th Amendments, the Snyder Act, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It highlights how...
Wonderscape
The 15th Amendment: A Milestone in American Voting Rights
Explore the pivotal role of the 15th Amendment in shaping the democratic landscape of the United States. Enacted as the third of the Reconstruction Amendments post-Civil War, this amendment aimed to safeguard the voting rights of all...
Wonderscape
Understanding the 11th Amendment: A Key Change in U.S. Constitution
Discover the significance of the 11th Amendment, ratified in 1795, which addresses sovereign immunity and limits the ability to sue states in federal court. Originating from the case of Chisholm v. Georgia, this amendment highlights the...
Wonderscape
The 14th Amendment: Citizenship, Equal Rights, and Civil Liberties
Discover the impact of the 14th Amendment, a key Reconstruction Amendment that played a crucial role in reshaping the American legal landscape post-Civil War. This amendment redefined citizenship, guaranteeing equal protection and due...
Curated Video
Global Partners
Dr. Forrester describes how her community and its neighboring communities work together to solve common problems. She explains that this is how the United States operates with other countries around the world. She then talks about two...
Curated Video
Democratic Laws
Dr. Forrester reviews how a democratic government works. She discusses why laws are enacted and the process involved in passing a law.
Curated Video
The Branches of Government
Dr. Forrester reviews the three branches of federal government. She then gives an example of how a bill becomes law.