This Theme Page presents a collection of materials to learn about the history of the U.S. constitution and its governance. Related pages: Black History – Civil Rights, Colonisation of North America, Democracy, Native Americans, Slavery, US Presidential Election.
Warm-up
“No More Kings – YouTube (3:03)https://youtu.be/jzQ5jH81bpk America Rock. Subject: American independence – Use Subtitles, lyrics also below
“Causes of The American Revolution – Review Rap Song – YouTube (3:28)https://youtu.be/VC1KtU5_LK0 The Singing History Teachers review the major causes of the American Revolution. Covering all major issues from the Proclamation of 1763, to the Stamp Act, Quartering Act, the Townshend Acts and finally the Intolerable Acts
Revolution
“A Brief History of America’s Independence: Part 1” (Revolutionary War) – YouTube (2:47)https://youtu.be/tfnrdWYmZus A video to help explain the events in American History leading up to the Revolutionary War by 321Learning. (yr 7-8)To be continued! (Part2)
How Did the Americans Win the Revolutionary War? | Wonderopolishttps://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-did-the-americans-win-the-revolutionary-warJoin us in Wonderopolis today for something truly revolutionary!
Learn About the Revolutionary War – YouTube (8:12)https://youtu.be/BWtW0gmh3kg The American Revolution was a turning point in history. After years of conflict followed by open warfare, Great Britain’s North American colonies became a new, independent nation – the United States of America! (yr 9-B1)
Independence
BBC – History – British History in depth: The American War of Independence: The Rebels and the Redcoatshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/rebels_redcoats_01.shtmlRichard Holmes reviews the course of the American Revolutionary War, and discusses whether American independence was inevitable from the moment that the first shots were fired.
Declaration of Independence – Civics Testhttps://www.elcivics.com/declaration_independence.htmlThe Liberty Bell was rung before it was read to the people of Philadelphia. The Declaration of Independence announced that the thirteen colonies were free from Britain. (yr 7-8)See ‘The Declaration of independence’
History of the Fourth of July – Brief History & Early Celebrations – HISTORYhttps://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day
Claiming Freedom: The Declaration of Independence | Wyzant Resourceshttps://www.wyzant.com/resources/lessons/history/hpol/doiThe beginnings of the Declaration date back much further than 1776. In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. The list of grievances sent to King George III by the First Continental Congress had not yet been answered. (yr 9-B1)
Constitution
EL Civics and ESL: Constitution of the United Stateshttps://www.elcivics.com/constitution_civics_1.html2. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention. He gave a speech when it was completed and asked that all 13 states vote to approve it unanimously. (yr 7-8)
The Making of the Constitution (15:56)https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-making-of-constitution/2838821.htmlThe Making of the Constitution is part of the VOA Learning English series The Making of a Nation. The series teaches U.S. history by telling the stories of major events and characters from the country’s founding to the present day. (yr 8-B1)
The Preamble to the Constitution for Dummies – YouTube (8:00)https://youtu.be/dK4LHqRbuTEA simple, straightforward reading of the Preamble of the United States Constitution with a little bit of chuckle and context. (yr 8-B1)
Constitutional Convention Introduction | Shmoop (2:05)https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/history/constitutional-conventionWith the end of the Revolutionary War, the newly free Americans had the whole “New World” as their oyster… – Watch the funny video on the top. (yr 8-B1)
Bill of Rights for US Citizenship Testhttps://www.elcivics.com/bill-of-rights-esl.htmlA bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inferences. -Thomas Jefferson (yr 8-B1)
The American Civil War – OverSimplified (Part 1) – YouTube (29:52)https://youtu.be/tsxmyL7TUJgAn oversimplified, speedy story about Abraham Lincoln, the expansion of American states and slavery.Part 2 (22:42)
Civics Test | American Civil Warhttps://www.elcivics.com/civil-war-civics.htmlAs the United States expanded west, new states were added to the country. The North was against allowing slavery in these new states, but the South was for it. The South didn’t want to be part of the United States anymore, but President Lincoln and the people in the North didn’t want the country to be divided.
Elections
Election Foundations | PBS LearningMedia (2:35)https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/2130f778-a06a-44f0-840a-1864d79a6a1b/2130f778-a06a-44f0-840a-1864d79a6a1b/In this video, students are introduced to why we have elections in the United States. They will learn what a constitutional democracy is and how the government gets its power from the consent of its citizens.
Government
We The Voters – American Party Animals on Vimeo (3:25)https://vimeo.com/181829952More young people than ever identify themselves as politically “independent.” This animated film looks at pros and cons of the two-party system.
Political Parties in the United Stateshttps://www.elcivics.com/political-parties-usa.htmlMembers of a political party share the same or similar opinions on many issues, but there may be differences.
The History of Voting Rights in the United States (5:45)https://youtu.be/_tFNq2hnpakMembers of a political party share the same or similar opinions on many issues, but there may be differences.
What are the Branches of Governmenthttps://bensguide.gpo.gov/a-what-are-branchesThe United States Government is divided into three parts, or branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch has a different duty, but all three branches must work together. (yr 7-8)
U.S. Senate and Senators Lessonhttps://www.elcivics.com/us-senate-lesson.htmlThe U.S. Congress is divided into two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state has two U.S. Senators. (yr 7-8)
U.S. House of Representatives Lessonhttps://www.elcivics.com/house-representatives.htmlThe Senate is the upper house and the House of Representatives is the lower house. Some states have more representatives than other states. This is because they have more people. (yr 7-8)
Is the Oval Office Really an Oval? | Wonderopolishttps://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/is-the-oval-office-really-an-ovalIf you enjoy sitting in the corner, you might have a problem with today’s Wonder of the Day! (yr 7-9)
What Is in the Presidential Cabinet? | Wonderopolishttps://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-in-the-presidential-cabinetToday’s Wonder of the Day contains more than an assortment of dishes!
What Are Checks and Balances? | Wonderopolishttps://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/What-Are-Checks-and-BalancesJoin us in Wonderopolis today for a look at what keeps the government in line!
“What Is the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government?” – YouTube (3:30)https://youtu.be/BWR2p9j9hWo What are the powers of the executive branch of the U.S. government? Who can be president in the United States? And what exactly goes into electing the person who sits in the Oval Office? (yr 8-9)
“How is power divided in the United States government?” – YouTube (3:49)https://youtu.be/HuFR5XBYLfU Article II of the United States Constitution allows for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), along with a system of checks and balances should any branch get too powerful. (yr 8-B1)
Three Branches of Government – USAhttps://www.elcivics.com/3-branches-government-1.htmlThe three branches of government are: (1) legislative, (2) executive, and (3) judicial. Congress is the head of the legislative branch. The President is the head of the executive branch. The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch. (yr 8-B1)
“The weird rule that broke American politics” – YouTube (5:57)https://youtu.be/Gt4jHLteXag The filibuster started as an accident. Today it lets the losers rule Congress.(yr 8-B1)
The First Ten Presidents of the United Stateshttps://www.thoughtco.com/the-first-ten-presidents-105435Biographical fast facts and links to more info about United States presidents 1 through 10, from George Washington to John Tyler.
Manifest Destiny – The Story of The US Told In 141 Mapshttp://michaelporath.com/projects/manifest-destiny/Manifest Destiny tells the story of the United States in 141 maps from the Declaration of Independence to the present. (yr 8-B1)
“How America became a superpower – YouTube (8:55)https://youtu.be/BShvYeyMm_YWith over 800 military bases around the globe, the US is easily the most powerful nation on earth. But it wasn’t always this way. The US once played an insignificant role in global affairs. In this 9-minute video, you can see the transformation.
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