A brief article about the Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement organization on the North American continent with statewide jurisdiction.

Companion website for the PBS documentary on the crime spree of John Dillinger, an infamous gangster. Included are a transcript of the film, biographies of people in the film, pictures of gangsters of the era, and a teacher's guide for...

Learn how the legacies left by the transatlantic slave trade made a huge impact on the development of Africa and on global notions of race and cultural identity.

Although the British Parliament passed the Abolition of Slavery Act in August 1833, the trade continued, and for many years there were exceptions to abolition. Learn how the British government attempted to prevent the slave trade from...

An eyewitness account from Pat Garrett that explains the circumstances surrounding his killing of Billy the Kid.

Illustrated essay on the abolition of slavery in Britain.

Article and questions for discussion on the slave trade. Students read about how Europeans captured, transported, and sold African men, women and children into slavery.

Learn the fascinating life story of country music legend, Waylon Jennings, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Click on the arrows to listen to him singing three songs.

Read this historical account of the Texas Rangers, a group of lawmen who fought crime and lawlessness on the Texas frontier in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Compromise of 1850 acted as a band-aid over the growing wound of sectional divide.

Towards the end of the 18th century, a movement emerged calling for an end to the slave trade and, later, slavery itself. This article traces the road to abolition from the 1780s to the 1830s, highlighting the impacts of grass-root...

Read the full text of the novel "The Border Legion" by Zane Grey. This western has all the classic elements such as outlaws, gold fever, and a damsel in distress.

Famous for early advocacy for indigenous peoples of America, he attempted to outlaw the econmienda system enjoyed by the Spanish colonists. Included is a time line of his activities.

A synopsis of the life of Jesse James in timeline form. Has links to his family tree, members of the James Gang, and photos.

This firsthand account of an encounter with some of the men from the Texas Rangers, a group of law enforcement officers in nineteenth century Texas.

Kids learn about the famous gunfighters of the old west including fun facts, lawmen, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James, and the Wild Bunch.

Although discussion is a modern theme mention is made of the outlawing of alcohol under Islamic law.

Although discussion is a modern theme mention is made of the outlawing of alcohol under Islamic law.

Although discussion is a modern theme mention is made of the outlawing of alcohol under Islamic law.

If you want to learn about the famous outlaw, Billy the Kid, check out this informative website. Choose from a short summary to a very detailed biography.

An account of Scotland's early hero, William Wallace. From England's point of view, a traitor, murderer, and outlaw. Find out the true life history of this famed hero.

Learning module on crime, punishment and the justice system. Students and teachers can view videos and search links to National Museum of Crime and Punishment.