Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
Other
Parliament of Canada: The Rule of Law and the Courts
Late Canadian Senator Eugene A. Forsey left a public legacy to all Canadians including this website hosted by the Parliament of Canada. In this article, he introduces important legal principles that underpin the Canadian court system,...
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Historical Documents
Ohio test preparation material on the important historical documents from which the principles of U.S. democracy are reflected. With video tutorials, practice, and assessment.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
PBS features a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison, which deals with the principle of "judicial review." Opinion written by Chief Justice John Marshall.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Cause for Debate
The Constitution creates separate institutions that must share power, there will always be disputes over the basic principles. Check out some of the hot issues (term limits, electoral college, judicial review) that are in dispute even to...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Plessy vs. Ferguson
Transcript of the infamous Supreme Court decision that established the constitutionality of the principle of "Separate but equal," public facilities for members of different races. This was eventually overturned by the 1954 and 1955...
Other
Constitutional Principle: Jefferson's Letters to Attorney General Levi Lincoln
This letter discusses Thomas Jefferson's views on the separation of church and state.
University of California
Ucla: Manas: History and Politics: Public Interest Litigation
Though the Constitution of India guarantees equal rights to all citizens, irrespective of race, gender, religion, and other considerations, and the "directive principles of state policy" as stated in the Constitution obligate the...
Other
Representative Democracy Has Failed
This politically oriented site outlines the degeneration of American Democracy and the erosion of democratic principles as exemplified by unconstitutional actions on the part of the Federal and State governments, as in the examples of...
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Bill of Rights
History for Kids reference page provides an overview of the Bill of Rights, outlining each of the ten amendments, and teaching about the history and principles of the U.S. Consitution and first ten amendments.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Annotation 10: Sixth Amendment: Assistance to Council
This article uses specific court cases to show how the right to counsel at trial was developed into the present day standard.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: The Legacy of Ronald Reagan [Pdf]
This lesson traces Ronald Reagan's ascent from obscurity to the pinnacle of political power in the United States. It also examines the constitutional, political, and civic principles associated with the public life of Ronald Reagan...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
This lesson plan examines the legacy of the "philosopher statesman," James Madison. Madison combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician, a man of strong principles who also...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: To Establish Justice
Outline explaining the ideals and intentions for a newly formed nation as spelled out in the of the Declaration of Independence.
National Cable Satellite Corporation
C Span Classroom: Free Resources for Teaching Civics and u.s. Government
This is a site filled with current events that make connections to the relevant historical topics. There are six clickable topics, the videos of which are updated weekly. RealPlayer is needed and registration is required to stream or...
Other
Hungarian Electronic: Establishment of the Dual Monarchy
An in-depth essay from the Hungarian Electronic Library on the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. It explains the political affairs, the constitutions, and the main principles of the agreement.
PBS
Pbs: Rediscovering George Washington
Discussion lesson plan that introduces and examines the concept of government by consent of the governed. Includes a reading for class distribution and references to primary source documents.
iCivics
I Civics: Limiting Government
Explore the five basic limits on government through the true story of Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, and other fictional cases of government power gone wild.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Government Glossary
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson Activotes are used to access student's prior knowledge of the principles of the US constitutional government. Student knows the essential principles stated in the US Constitution-...