The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy
This resource guides students through a deep exploration of the pivotal era of American history when a nation divided by slavery and war was challenged to rebuild.
We Wanted to Be Treated as Men
Elmore Nickleberry and Taylor Rogers, two former sanitation workers from Memphis, share their memories of the events leading up to the 1968 sanitation strike, as well as their participation in the strike itself.
Please Ring the Bell for Us
This cartoon, by Francis Knott for the Dallas Morning News, was published on July 7, 1939. It accompanied an editorial that described admitting refugee children to the United States as an “act of simple humanity."
Political Polarization in the United States
This Explainer defines the term political polarization and provides information on how it impacts US politics and society.
Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
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The ideas and tools in this guide will help you prepare students to engage in reflective conversations on topics that matter.
David M. Kennedy: "Twoness”
In this film clip from American Creed, historian David Kennedy discusses the complexity of American identity.
Big Paper Example
In a Big Paper activity, students respond silently to a text excerpt or image by writing their comments on a shared paper.
Part Four: Interracial Democracy
Scholars discuss how African Americans and whites initially worked together within Reconstruction governments.
Protecting Democracy
A congressional representative argues that the federal government should have the power to prosecute individuals who commit intimidation.
Protecting Democracy (en español)
A congressional representative argues that the federal government should have the power to prosecute individuals who commit intimidation.
Analyzing the Causes of Klan Violence
This handout contains an iceberg diagram that helps students analyze the causes of violence by the Ku Klux Klan.