[Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson plan seeks to discover the impact George Pullman had, not only on the railroad industry, but also on American life, by improving rail travel, and also establishing a company town for his workers. All the materials necessary for the lesson are provided by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

[Free Registration/Login Required] After a brief description of Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's contributions to the early ideology and government of the new United States in their authorship of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, this essay discusses the dangers of factionalism that threatened the success of the new country. Jefferson's and Madison's handling of these problems when they were president was instrumental in giving the United States a good chance of enduring.

A presentation by Larry Kramer detailing the development of constitutional law, common law, rights and the judicial system of the new government in the just independent United States. Understand and identify the meanings of how the government functions to enforce and maintain law. [51:24]

What kicked off the major economic and financial crisis in the United States? Richard Sylla delivers a comprehensive presentation in an effort to educate views on the cause and effect of these breaking points throughout history. [1:29:20]

Gordon Wood, Professor Emeritus at Brown University, and the author of Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815, examines the post-Revolutionary generation and the tremendous changes that occurred during that period. [39:06]

James T. Patterson of Brown University, discusses how the major political, cultural, and economic events of the mid-20th century impacted America from 1945 through Watergate. [39:55]

An interesting essay on the forced migration of Africans to America by way of the Middle Passage. Read where the slaves were off-loaded, how the population of slaves increased, and the inhumanities inflicted on the slaves both on the passage from Africa and, finally, at their destination. Requires registration, but is free for teachers and students.

An article from the quarterly journal, History Now, discusses the importance of posters in World War II in encouraging support in the United States for the war. See examples of posters and read about how they emphasized the role of every citizen in the conduct of the war at home and abroad. Hyperlink to a slideshow of several posters and their descriptions. From the Gilder Lehrman Institute.

Discover how the executive and legislative branches of government as well as the public have reacted to Supreme Court decisions. Larry Kramer, Dean at Stanford Law School, walks his audience through this complex history. [19:02]

Ohio Wesleyan University Professor Michael Flamm discusses the political, social, and international legacies of the tumultuous 1960s and how they still influence society today. [52:16]

"In Pursuit of Equity: Women, Men, and the Quest for Economic Citizenship in 20th-Century America," is delivered by Alice Kessler-Harris. A detail heavy presentation differentiating between equality and equity and what that does within citizenship. Historical perspective reflecting on circumstances in the 1800's and progresses into the 1900's. Political, Civil and Social citizenship must all coexist in order for true equality to exist. [1:13:41]

Presenters Jack Rakove and Sandra Day O'Connor discuss the creation of the judicial system in this video. The Founding Fathers collaborated at the Constitutional Convention to ensure that the rights of citizens would be protected by the new government. O'Connor also stresses the importance of understanding the foundation of our Constitution. [1:10:38]

Professor Malcolm Byrne of George Washington University discusses the policies of the United States overseas, the balance between idealism and reality, and why those in the Middle East do not like Americans. Byrne explains the importance of understanding what is happening currently the history of that region must be understood. [1:10:46]

[Free Registration/Login Required] The Gilder Lehrman Institute dedicates itself to the "study and love of American history." The site provides a general history complete with primary documents, publications, virtual museum of rotating exhibitions, and newly discovered documents. Excellent site for the impassioned historian.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Historian-authored three-part overview looks at the history of voting rights in America, touching on all the critical moments in American history when voting rights were first denied then granted to women, people of no property, Native Americans, African Americans, immigrants, and other groups.

[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson, students will examine posters and broadsides from the 1800s to examine attitudes about slavery at that time.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Read a summary of Bartolome de Las Casas' views about the horrors of Spanish encomienda system and his arguments for proper treatment of Native Americans. Find a link to a translation of his book where he lays out his ideas in contrast to those of philosopher Juan Gines Sepulveda.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A brief lesson that presents charts showing the the number of troops in the Civil War, the casualties of troops in the Civil War and other U.S. wars, and the costs incurred in U.S. wars. Discussion questions ask about relfections on these numbers.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A high school lesson plan using two primary source quotes to determine if working conditions have improved in the last 100 years.