The Supreme Court clearly bases the creation of new rules on its own personal predilections not by the phrases of the Constitution nor in terms of the expressed intentions of those who wrote the Constitution. The court might not be so popular if people knew what it is really doing. (RM)

In February 1942 (two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) President Franklin Roosevelt, as commander-in-chief, issued Executive Order 9066 to relocate all persons of Japanese ancestry, both citizens and aliens, inland and away from the Pacific military zone. The Order was to prevent espionage and to protect persons of Japanese descent…

In August 1945, the United States unleashed an atomic weapon against the Japanese at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and brought an end to World War II. These bombs killed in two ways -- by the blast's magnitude and resulting firestorm, and by nuclear fallout. After the Soviet Union exploded its first atom bomb in 1949, the Cold War waged between the two…

Separating George Washington the man from Washington the legend is difficult for historians and students alike because his fame complicates historical scrutiny. Washington owned slaves and ambitiously sought power, yet he freed his slaves upon his death and he used his power to forge a democratic nation. Throughout this unit students examine…

Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4, of the United States Constitution, the U.S. Congress is granted the power to "establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization." With passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, Congress exercised this authority, denying the rights of citizenship to all Chinese immigrants. The Chinese Boycott Case…

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…

Delineates the federal judiciary system's creation and evolution. Describes original judicial legislation, illustrating the judicial pyramid: district courts at the base, followed by federal circuit courts, with the Supreme Court at the apex. Identifies first Supreme Court justices. Observes that John Marshall's 34 years as Chief Justice firmly…

Describes a lesson for secondary students for U.S. history or government classes in which they define what a mission statement is and explain how the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States functions as a mission statement. Comments that the students also discuss events that expanded the right to vote. (CMK)

Focuses on the process of amending the U.S. Constitution and describes Article V in detail. Explores the intent of the framers of the Constitution and provides historical information on the the various amendments. Addresses proposed amendments and the failure to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Includes questions for discussion. (CMK)

Provides viewpoints on whether the constitutional amendment process needs to be changed or not: (1) "When in Doubt, Do Nothing" (R. B. Bernstein); (2) "Citizens for the Constitution" (Erwin Chemerinsky); (3) "Constitutional Proposals from the States" (John Kincaid); and (4) "I Have a Better Way" (Gregory D.…

Designed to help students understand the historical context of the primary and secondary materials by and about the framers of the United States Constitution presented in "Letters of Liberty," this teacher's guide provides directed discussions and activities for evaluating these materials. The guide also is intended to help students gain…

This unit is one of a series that represents specific moments in history from which students focus on the meanings of landmark events. By studying primary sources of a crucial turning point in history, students become aware that choices had to be made by real human beings, that those decisions were the result of specific factors, and that they set…

This textbook on the separation of church and state continues the "Exploring the Constitution Series," which introduces important areas of constitutional law. Intended to serve either as a reference work, a supplement to a standard textbook, or as the textbook for a course, this volume covers the constitutional issues of prayer in public…

Designed to make the U.S. Constitution come alive for students, this guide uses real-life examples taken from the daily newspaper to illustrate the document's day-to-day applications. Activities are presented to familiarize students with the Constitution's content as well as with its continuing impact on U.S. life. Newspaper-related activities are…

A collection of essays on the 10 amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution is presented in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. The following essays are included: "The First Amendment and the Virtues of an Open Society" (R. Smolla); "The First Amendment as a…