Unit Plan
Other

Tami: Times Are a Changin' Development of the Two Party System in Texas

For Students 6th - 8th
A collection of historical videos of political campaigns in Texas, which students analyze after an exploration of what qualities an effective political leader should have. They explore and discuss what Democrats and Republicans say in...
Handout
University of Maryland

History of China: The Republican Revolution of 1911

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a short history of China, specifically the impact and importance of the 1911 Revolution.
Website
Other

Sinn Fein: Irish Republican Party

For Students 9th - 10th
The political arm of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which has made significant gains of peace and negotiation with Loyalist and British parties.
Primary
The History Place

The History Place: Abraham Lincoln: "House Divided" Speech

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides Abraham Lincoln's famous speach given at the close of the republican state convention - "A House Divided". It is the full text of the speech.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Our Place in the Politics of the Country

For Students 9th - 10th
Although the 15th amendment gave the freedom to vote to African Americans, little was done to enforce it. 90% of African-Americans living in the South were not able to vote, and in the North where voting was easier, the African American...
Activity
Other

Copernicus Election Watch: History of the Parties

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a great timeline that tracks the history of the Democratic, Republican, and some Independent Third Parties. Also some excellent links at the bottom of the page.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How 38 Ira Members Pulled Off the Uk's Biggest Prison Escape

For Students 9th - 10th
During the height of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" in the 1970s and '80s, the British government incarcerated hundreds of Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) paramilitaries inside the notorious Maze Prison. Touted as Europe's most...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Radical Reconstruction

For Students 9th - 10th
During this period of American history, the presidents were in agreement, but the Republican party had some differences. This resource provides an explanation of those differences.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Two Plans for Reconstruction [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Before his assassination, Abraham Lincoln was already making plans for Reconstruction in the South. Read about his plan and the plan of the Radical Republicans. See the reasoning behind each plan.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Significance of the American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Overiview of the Republican ideals emerging in a new nation following the American Revolution.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Breakdown of the Party System

For Students 9th - 10th
As the Whig Party collapsed and the new Republican Party was forming, there was a flash-in-the pan party, the Know Nothing Party, that filled the void for a few years. Read about the success of the party in electing legislation, and find...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Lesson Plan: The Presidential Nominating System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson may be used to introduce learners to the system of primaries and caucuses by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by their parties. After completing this lesson, students will understand the process by which...
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Elections: National Conventions

For Students 3rd - 5th
The Democrats and Republicans hold huge national conventions every four years, and all of the states participate. Learn about the importance of this special event.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Elections 1896 & 1900: Interactive Map: Biography of America

For Students 9th - 10th
This interactive map and video from A Biography of America will help compare how key issues in the elections of 1896 and 1900 influenced geographical patterns in both presidential and congressional election results. Although the...
Handout
Other

Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Redeemers (Post Reconstruction)

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the so-called Redeemers, whose actions returned the Democratic Party to power in the southern states at the end of Reconstruction. Find out how they rolled back the legislation put into effect by the Republicans as a result of...
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Mark Hanna

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of Republican Party "kingmaker," Mark Hanna, who was primarily responsible for the candidacy of William McKinley in the election of 1896.
Website
US Senate

Us Senate Budget Committee

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this resource to learn more about the Senate Budget Committee. It is divided into two parts. The first is a Republican website and the second is a Democratic website.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Lesson: The Presidential Nominating System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson may be used to introduce students to the system of primaries and caucuses by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by their parties. After completing this lesson, students will understand the process by which...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The 1824 Election and the "Corrupt Bargain"

For Students 5th - 8th
The two-party system in presidential elections fell apart in the election of 1824. See what happened when five men, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, ran against each other. Find out why the choice of John Quincy Adams was called...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Two Parties Emerge

For Students 5th - 8th
Although George Washingon denounced the creation of political parties, they came roaring into play in the election of 1796 in which John Adams, representing the Federalists, ran against Thomas Jefferson, who represented the...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: William Mc Kinley: The Campaign and Election of 1896

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the campaign of 1896 in which William McKinley represented the Republican Party and William Jennings Bryan the Democratic Party. One big issue was the contrast between the use of the gold standard as opppsed to free silver.
Article
BBC

Bbc News: A Little of Real Palin Revealed

For Students 9th - 10th
BBC News provides us with a video of 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's TV interview with Charles Gibson on ABC News. Also includes links to news stories related to election 2008. [9:27]
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James A. Garfield: American Franchise

For Students 9th - 10th
A very interesting explanation of the make-up of voters in the election of 1880. The country was evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Find out about the policies of each during the 1870s and 1880s.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Power of Americans

For Teachers 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An excerpt form a speech given by President Ronald Reagan at the Republican National Convention in 1988. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

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