In this activity for high school American government classes, students examine and discuss six documents concerning the transfer of power to Lyndon Johnson after the Kennedy assassination. The objective of the lesson is to help students understand how power is gained and used. (AM)

This method presented in this textbook will tend to give the pupil some conception of the real nature of United States government. The student will not look upon civil government as an indistinct and lifeless structure, because the student is being led to see the true relation which exists between history and civics. The student is led to see that…

Discusses the importance of the Northwest Ordinance to the nation, the Northwest Territories, and Indiana Territory. Concludes the document is fundamental for U.S. history instruction and advocates that it should be studied in the social studies classroom. (RKM)

Observes that the first Congress, 1789 to 1791, was the most important in American history. Discusses the role of individual congressional members, including Oliver Ellsworth, Richard Henry Lee, William Maclay, Fisher Ames, Daniel Carroll, Thomas Fitzsimmons, James Jackson, and James Madison. Suggests that these congressman can stimulate student…

Presents an activity for senior high government classes about Vice President Johnson's approach in using power to get the civil rights legislation passed. Students analyze transcripts of phone conversations between Vice President Johnson and Press Secretary Ted Sorensen and discuss how presidential power may be used to influence Congress. (AM)

Investigates the development of the United States Constitution in the twentieth century up to and including the Burger Court. Contends that interpreting the Constitution is an important issue of our times. Consequently argues that we should teach students about the development of this document. (RKM)

Examines Charles A. Beard's contribution to how scholars interpret the framing of the Constitution and other events of U.S. history. Describes his work in some detail and includes a transcript of a 1926 conference at which Beard spoke in 1926. (RKM)

Presents an activity for senior high government courses about how President Johnson used his powers of persuasion to obtain civil rights legislation. Students analyze the effectiveness of arguments and persuasive techniques in two letters from President Johnson to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (RM)

Presents an activity for high school government or U.S. history classes on President Johnson's attitudes toward education. Students analyze and discuss four primary source documents--a speech, memos, presidential remarks on the signing of education amendments, and a political cartoon. They write a paragraph on Johnson's role in education. (AM)

Providing a link between constitutional scholars and the planners of school and public programs observing the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, this series of the Bicentennial Chronicles features articles that provide a link between scholars of the Constitution and the people who will be planning programs for the public and for the…

To preserve and perpetuate the ideals and principles of American democracy it is essential that they be understood. This publication, based upon research, brings to the school administrator, the teacher, or the layman an opportunity to further understand these ideals and principles. It presents a concise analysis and compilation of State laws…

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…

Illustrates the development of constitutionalism and republicanism from 1776 to 1787. Discusses the Declaration of Independence, arguments leading up to the Revolution, framing of the Constitution based on compromise, and opposing views of the ratification debate, all of which reveal disagreements over the precise meaning of republicanism. (TRS)

Twenty-five years ago "history and civics" was the term generally applied to the efforts of the schools to explain man in society. The amount of civics in the combination is indicated by the fact that the committee of seven of the American Historical Association, reporting in 1898 on the study of history in the schools, recommended that…

Discusses how significant speeches of the golden age of U.S. oratory (1828-1928) might be used in study units for English, history, social science, or civics classrooms. Lists 10 of the best speeches of the age and 5 anthologies of speeches. (SR)