Resource Library
Find compelling classroom resources, learn new teaching methods, meet standards, and make a difference in the lives of your students.
We are grateful to The Hammer Family Foundation for supporting the development of our on-demand learning and teaching resources.
![A group of high school students sit at desks in conversation.](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_480/public/2023-10/AdobeStock_254378868.jpg?itok=f6YAphey)
Introducing Our US History Curriculum Collection
Draw from this flexible curriculum collection as you plan any middle or high school US history course. Featuring units, C3-style inquiries, and case studies, the collection will help you explore themes of democracy and freedom with your students throughout the year.
United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Crime of Genocide
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, or the Genocide Convention, is an international treaty that criminalizes genocide and obligates state parties to pursue the enforcement of its prohibition.
![A photograph of several delegates who signed the UN Genocide Convention Credit: US Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of United Nations](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Lemkin_Ratification_Of_Genocide_Convention_FH131485.jpg?h=6db1c67f&itok=hEICVT3F)
Negotiating the Convention on the Punishment and Prevention of the Crime of Genocide
Lemkin proved himself a relentless activist. He worked tirelessly as a lobbyist, a strategist, and an agitator, in order to establish the Genocide Convention with the help of the United Nations on December 9, 1948.
![A photograph of several delegates who signed the UN Genocide Convention Credit: US Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of United Nations](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Lemkin_Ratification_Of_Genocide_Convention_FH131485.jpg?h=6db1c67f&itok=hEICVT3F)
International Law in the Age of Genocide
While Lemkin was able to convince diplomats at the United Nations to pass the Genocide Convention, his work was not complete upon his death. The job of lobbying governments across the world to ratify the convention was left to ordinary people.
![A photograph of several delegates who signed the UN Genocide Convention Credit: US Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of United Nations](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Lemkin_Ratification_Of_Genocide_Convention_FH131485.jpg?h=6db1c67f&itok=hEICVT3F)
1956 Women's March, Pretoria
Female demonstrators march to the Union Buildings (official seat of the South African Government) during the 1956 Women’s March on August 9, in opposition to the 1952 pass laws.
![Female demonstrators march to the Union Buildings (official seat of the South African Government) during the 1956 Women’s March on August 9, in opposition to the 1952 pass laws.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/1956_WomensMarchPretoria_FH281821.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=jZcbDKZY)
1994 Elections
Long lines edge the William Nicol Highway, as people wait to vote during the general elections on April 27, 1994 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
![Long line of hundreds of South Africans along a busy highway.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/1994_Election_Voting_Lines_Medium_res.jpg?h=673d5a02&itok=r-7pi3J5)
All White Community in South Africa Holds Onto Its Past
A family dressed in traditional Afrikaner clothing pose during a holiday celebration commemorating ‘the Battle of Blood River,’ on December 16, 2003 in Orania, Northern Cape province, South Africa.
![A family dressed in traditional Afrikaner clothing pose during a holiday celebration commemorating ‘the Battle of Blood River,’ on December 16, 2003 in Orania, Northern Cape province, South Africa.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/2003_AllWhiteCommunityinSouthAfricaHoldsOntoItsPast_FH281929.jpg?h=327453ef&itok=xYMYt6md)
Archbishop Tutu and the Chasm
Standing at the edge of a cliff labeled ‘Truth,’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu clutches a blank map. Behind him stand a perpetrator, a victim, and members of the media. A deep chasm separates them from the cliff labeled ‘Reconciliation.’
![Cartoon showing Arhcbishop Desmon Tutu standing at edge of cliff labeled "Truth".](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Archbishop_Tutu_and_the_Chasm_Medium_res.jpg?h=e4f638fd&itok=BEvm1IH4)
Bantustans in South Africa
With the passing of the Bantu Authorities Act in 1951, the apartheid set in motion the creation of ten bantustans in South Africa, illustrated in this map.
![Map of South Africa showing the borders of Bantustans, native territories set aside for Black South Africans.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Bantustans_in_South_Africa_Medium_res.jpg?h=99417986&itok=p9-tMWJB)
Boer Family, 1886
The Boers, semi-nomadic farmers of Dutch descent, often lived in impoverished conditions due to social isolation and their views on racial superiority.
![A family of four adults and seven children sitting and standing in front of the doorway of a building.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Boer_Family_1886.jpg?h=412eaa8a&itok=bPgdJKnv)
Caroline Hunter Boycott Polaroid
Caroline Hunter, co-founder of the Polaroid Revolutionary Workers Movement, wears a “No Bullshit, Boycott Polaroid” campaign button, advocating against Polaroid’s contract with the Apartheid government in South Africa.
![Caroline Hunter wears a “No Bullshit, Boycott Polaroid” campaign button.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2018_CarolineHunterBoycottPolaroid_FH282021.jpg?h=7784dd4d&itok=AQ66r1aS)
De Beers Diamond Mine, ca. 1885
In 1887 and 1888, Cecil Rhodes consolidated a number of individual diamond mine claims around Kimberley to form a single company called De Beers Consolidated Mines.
![In 1887 and 1888, Cecil Rhodes consolidated a number of individual diamond mine claims around Kimberley to form a single company called De Beers Consolidated Mines.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Democracy_18850101_DeBeersDiamondMineca1885_%20FH281147.jpg?h=94780249&itok=8PQyBwsl)