This issue of "Bill of Rights in Action" looks at individuals who have stood on principle against authority or popular opinion. The first article investigates John Adams and his defense of British soldiers at the Boston Massacre trials. The second article explores Archbishop Thomas Becket's fatal conflict with England's King Henry II.…

Today's computer technology is particularly beneficial for a class that is learning issues of government. Government document sources are well organized on the world wide web. Analyzing the Bill of Rights and how the Supreme Court has interpreted challenges is an exercise that incorporates citizenship education, offers insight into judicial…

The dimensions of the separation of powers principle are explored through three lessons in the subject areas of U.S. history, U.S. government, and world history. In 1748, a French nobleman, Baron de Montesquieu, wrote a book called "The Spirit of the Laws," in which he argued that there could be no liberty when all government power was…

The relation between the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the provisions of the Bill of Rights or the first 10 Constitutional amendments is discussed. (RM)

These newsletter volumes deal with topics in U.S. history, world history, and U.S. government relating to the Bill of Rights. The newsletters present background information for classroom reading, in some instances provide a list of topical issues, and offer activities for discussion and writing. Some of the topics considered in the newsletters…

Focuses on the U.S. Bill of Rights Fourth Amendment discussing what it means related to current technological advances, such as automobiles and computers. Provides information on court cases relevant to the Fourth Amendment, such as Atwater v. City of Lago Vista and City of Indianapolis v. Edmond. Lists ideas for learning activities. (CMK)

This report contends that most U.S. history and government textbooks give only cursory attention to the Second Amendment "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms..." to the U.S. Constitution, and most endorse a particular political view of the amendment, rather than providing the necessary background for an informed political…

Great ideas about law, government, and the rights of individuals, embedded in U.S. founding documents, are the connective cords by which national unity and civic identity have been maintained in the United States from the 1770s until today. To be a citizen is to understand and have a reasonable commitment to the ideas in the founding documents.…

Explores the issue of balancing liberty and order within the United States. Discusses the role of the Bill of Rights, focusing on the amendments in the document and the later amendments that ensure the liberty of U.S. citizens. Explains how order and liberty are ensured and includes discussion questions. (CMK)

Intended for use by high school U.S. history and government teachers and students, these scripted trials and related materials are designed to help students develop an understanding about important ideas in the U.S. Constitution. The document focuses on three fundamental issues of the Bill of Rights: search and seizure, freedom of expression, and…

Discusses U.S. Supreme Court cases during the 2000-01 term. Focuses on federalism, such as the case Solid Waste Agency v. Army Corps of Engineers, No. 99-1178, and cases related to the U.S. Bill of Rights First Amendment, such as United States and Department of Agriculture v. United Foods, Inc., No. 00-276. (CMK)

This publication provides a brief introduction to core ideas of constitutional government in the United State as presented in "The Federalist" by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The first of "The Federalists" papers was written by Hamilton, who joined with Jay and Madison in this series of essays to refute the…

Examines the Supreme Court's historical treatment of the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment to better understand the meaning of the Constitution's founding. That the Constitution does not offer an absolute protection is supported by analyzing a broad outline of the Constitution and several court cases involving due process. (TRS)

Discusses "new judicial federalism" as the rediscovery of state bills of rights for protecting civil liberties. Analyzes the differences in protection under state and federal bills of rights. Recommends that the growing importance of state constitutions be included in the political science curriculum and suggests bibliographic sources to…

Describes the National Bicentennial Competition on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, a Center for Civic Education project. Includes two project lessons which focus on the U.S. Constitution as an instrument to protect individual freedom at the middle school level, and feature the founding philosophy of the Constitution at the high school level.…