This lesson offers historical background on federal Indian policy from 1870 to 1900, focusing on the Dawes Act of 1887 (with two resources). It provides four primary source documents, including maps of Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and Will Roger's application for enrollment in the Five Civilized Tribes. The lesson relates to the powers granted to…

The paper discusses the political events and issues that affected North Carolina and the nation between 1776 and 1789. Attitudes and philosophies on government and its centralization form the foundation for North Carolina's traditional and firm opposition to centralization of power and changes in government structure. North Carolina's…

Discusses traditional concepts of tradition, religion, commerce, and family life. Points out innovative philosophies held by the Founding Fathers which shaped the Constitution. The subsequent moral revolution needs to be reconsidered in light of the Founding Fathers' intent. (PS)

From the outbreak of World War I in Europe until the signing of the Versailles Treaty, President Woodrow Wilson's administration proposed and implemented an extraordinary number of programs that affected people in their everyday activities. In August 1917 Congress passed the Food and Fuel Control Act, also known as the Lever Act, which gave the…

By late winter 1933, the United States had already endured more than 3 years of economic depression. During the previous summer, the Democratic Party platform had unveiled a generalized plan for economic recovery. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set about to prepare the nation to accept expansion of federal power since he recognized that the…

Discusses the Freedom Forum poll on the First Amendment that was conducted by telephone between July 17 and August 1, 1997. Expounds that the Freedom Forum intended to depict the opinions within the United States concerning the First Amendment and to trace changes in opinion. Describes the results in detail. (CMK)

The document describes the establishment, development, procedures, and some landmark cases of the U.S. Supreme Court. The objective is to explore the history of the court and to explain its role in the American system of government. The booklet is presented in four chapters. The first chapter, entitled "A Heritage of Law," offers…

The O. J. Simpson trials taught much of the United States a basic lesson in the difference between criminal law and civil law. Many students learn in their government classes that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime. A person found innocent in a criminal trial, however, can be sued under civil law procedures for damages. It is…

Focuses on the hate speech, gun, and privacy debates that today's youth will have to address in their future. Includes articles addressing the arguments in each issue: (1) "Debating Hate Speech" (Frank Kopecky); (2) "Debating the Gun Issue" (Denise Barr); and (3) "Debating the Right to Privacy" (Pinky Wassenberg.)…

In conjunction with the United States Constitution's Bicentennial, this issue is devoted to the contributions the Constitution has made in shaping the U.S. economic system. The main article, "The Economics of the Constitution," provides important insights on how the Constitution influences the economic system through answers to the…

Discusses the changes in American thinking and tolerance between the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the writing of the Constitution. Concludes that the right to pursue happiness allows everyone to personally define happiness. The government that secures that right will leave people alone to do as they wish. (PS)

Questions whether the American constitutional order is capable of accommodating an equal citizenship for Blacks. Maintains that the inequality of condition that Black Americans endure is rooted in social as much as in legal practice. Improving the situation requires individual accountability on the part of Blacks. (PS)

Explores the content and history of the last three constitutional amendments: (1) presidential succession and disability (the Twenty-fifth amendment); (2) voting rights for young people (the Twenty-sixth amendment); and (3) congressional pay raises (the Twenty-seventh amendment). Includes questions for discussion. (CMK)

This report argues that fundamental constitutional liberties have undergone severe changes and continue to be threatened because of the changes in the federal judiciary that have been brought about by Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. This judicial change has been effected through the appointment of judges with two qualities: first, a…

Senate Joint Resolution 2 calls for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to allow voluntary silent prayer or reflection in public schools. The hearing report consists of testimony on the proposed legislation by expert witnesses, prepared statements by various individuals and organizations, and newspaper article reprints and Supreme Court opinions…