Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Public Opinion: Voice of the People
Examine public opinion and the various means in which to collect it as well as how the government uses the opinions collected. This resource offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: The New Nation
After the War of Independence, Americans were unable to agree on the form of their federal government. This unit explores how those conflicts played out as the new Republic defined its identity in relation to other nations.
Nobel Media AB
The Nobel Prize: The Development and Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Read about how the atomic bomb was first developed, starting the nuclear arms race. As nuclear weapons proliferated, so did apprehension. A Non-Proliferation Treaty was released in 1968, and governments began to sign on to it. Green...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Charging Objects
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The laws that govern interactions between charged particles are explained, and methods of creating a net charge on an object are described.
iCivics
I Civics: Familiar but Flawed
This lesson highlights British influences on American government. Learn how America's Founders improved upon familiar structures of British government to contain tyranny in favor of liberty.
iCivics
I Civics: A Dive Into Democracy
The Founding Fathers had many influences. Discover how aspects of Athenian democracy shaped the structure and ideals of the U.S. government.
iCivics
I Civics: Philosophically Correct
Trace how philosophers throughout history have envisioned the ideal government. Explore ideas from Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, and more.
iCivics
I Civics: Constitutional Principles
The Founding Fathers created a government based on a set of fundamental principles carefully designed to guarantee liberty. This lesson lets students look at the Constitution from the perspective of its foundational principles and make...
Other
Semper Liber: American Rule of Law the American Way
American rule of law is based on the premise that increase in government means decrease in liberty. That being given, the underlying assumption about American rule of law is that limits must be placed on government, since the tendency of...
Digital History
Digital History: The Formative Decade
The first decade of the new American nation saw much development and progress, but there was still contention about what the national government's role would be. Read about the differing views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Illinois Pioneers and Prairies [Pdf]
"Illinois Pioneers and Prairies" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about life in the prairies of Illinois for the early settlers including their hard work, setting up governments, building schools, and making laws. It is...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My New President [Pdf]
"My New President" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about an African-American teen who learned about the government by working in Barack Obama's campaign office on Saturdays. It is followed by constructed-response questions...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: My New President [Pdf]
"My New President" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about an African-American teen who learned about the government by working in Barack Obama's campaign office on Saturdays. It is followed by constructed-response questions...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Read to Learn About City Systems [Pdf]
"Read to Learn about City Systems" is a one page, nonfiction passage about government systems and workers that keep people safe including police officers, food inspectors, and water and sewer system workers. It is followed by an...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Read to Learn About Elections [Pdf]
"Read to Learn about Elections" is a one page, nonfiction passage about government systems and workers that keep people safe including police officers, food inspectors, and water and sewer workers. It is followed by an open-ended...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: John F. Kennedy's Remarks, Berlin [Pdf]
"John F. Kennedy: Remarks in the Rudolph Wilde Platz, Berlin" is a one page persuasive speech delivered by JFK on June 26, 1963. In it he commended West Germany in its efforts to have a democratic government and berated the Communists...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Bill of Rights
The Constitution spelled out the powers of the national government, but many Anti-federalists felt there should be equally explicit a guarantee of individual rights. Read about the compiliation of what became known as the Bill of Rights...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581
This site from Fordham University provides the first Declaration in modern times which Jefferson read and used as a model for writing the Declaration of Independence - the Dutch Revolution encouraged the Continental Congress to act. Read...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Middle Ages: Town Life
Focuses on the impact merchants had upon town life in the Middle Ages. Includes a series of articles on different facets of Medieval life such as religion, homes, and government.
PBS
Pbs: Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy
A list of terms presented by PBS and Newshour of the values that make up the foundation of American constitutional democracy and the preservation of political and economic freedoms.
iCivics
I Civics: Rule by One
Why has monarchy been one of the most common forms of government throughout history? In this instructional activity, students explore the advantages and disadvantages of monarchial rule and consider how rule by one came to reign.
Yale University
Colonial Charters, Grants and Related Documents
Scroll to Massachusetts and link to the colonial documents establishing the colonies' earliest forms of government and laying the foundation for self-governing and eventual independence from England. Beginning with The Charter of England...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: The Virginia Bill of Rights
Primary source document establishing a basis and foundation of early American government. This document, adopted in Virginia and drafted by George Mason and Patrick Henry, precedes the Congressional call for independence.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Basis of the American Republic
Overview of the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land enduring through changing times and ever increasing diversity over the last two centuries.