The American public often wonders what goes on in the White House and how domestic and foreign policy are made. Designed for use by the research and teaching communities, whitehousetapes.org provides teachers and students the opportunity to learn more about how American presidents have made decisions and exercised leadership during pivotal moments…

In the twenty-first century, differences in the treatment of trade in alcoholic beverages in comparison to other commercial goods seem at odds with the federal regulation of interstate trade under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, which prohibits "differential treatment of in-state and out-of-state economic interests that…

This highly acclaimed volume in the "Defending Public Schools" series is now available in paperback from Teachers College Press. It is a practical, necessary addition to the work of administrators, teachers, policymakers, and parents as they negotiate the difficult path of how to best teach and educate today's children and youth. This…

Over the past three years, Richardson Primary School has transformed its entire educational program based around the widespread introduction of interactive whiteboards (IWBs) into the school. A review of this initiative states that "Richardson is the first school in the ACT, and probably Australia, where the total school community, the…

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which brought an official end to the Mexican American War (1846-1848) was signed on February 2, 1848. Nicholas Trist, chief clerk of the U.S. Statement Department at the time, negotiated the peace treaty in defiance of 1845-1849 President James K. Polk. Trist believed that Mexico must surrender fully, including…

In recent years, educational policies for boys have not been given as much attention as those for girls in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rural Nigerian nomadic boys are especially disadvantaged, considering their livelihood is based on a pastoral economy that demands constant migration to interior grasslands in search of pasture. For a…

Articles and activities written for the senior secondary level explore the complex links between militarization and underdevelopment. The articles discuss choices between missiles and food in developing countries, the internal and external causes of militarism, and the hidden costs of militarism. Case studies of the Kwajalein Atoll and Ethiopia…

Documents diaries, letters, drawings, and memoirs created by those who participated in or witnessed the events of the past tell something that even the best-written article or book cannot convey. The use of primary sources exposes students to important historical concepts. This lesson plan is built around U.S. President Jimmy Carter's negotiation…

Traces U.S.-USSR relations throughout Ronald Reagan's administration. Analyzes the shifts in Reagan's policies toward the Soviet Union. Examines the reasons why Reagan changed his views on the Soviet Union, and discusses the political Right's response to Reagan's changed position. (RW)

Tension has existed between the legislative and the executive branches of the U.S. government over war powers since the United States Constitution simultaneously vested Congress with the power to declare war and the President with the power of Commander in Chief. When Texas declared its independence and claimed additional territory to the Rio…

This kit, the first of four learning circles on civics and citizenship, addresses a series of broad issues about the way in which Australia is governed. Introductory materials include a synopsis of the six sessions; lists of 51 references, 29 Internet sites, and 13 videos and CDs; glossary; and list of 19 resource materials. Session guides are…

After World War II the United States centered its foreign policy on the containment of communism, at home and abroad. Although it was aimed primarily at containing the spread of communism in Europe, the policy also extended to Asia. Asia proved to be the site of the first major battle waged in the name of containment: the Korean War. Dividing…

In 1917, Chaim Weizmann persuaded the British government to issue a statement (later called the Balfour Declaration) favoring the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine. Because of the arrival of many Jews in Palestine in the 1930s and Arab fears about Palestine's future, guerrilla fighting broke out between the two groups. When U.S.…

This pocket guide contains a collection of graphed data, available in 1994, on science and technology funding patterns within the United States, public attitudes toward science and technology, and international trends in science and technology. Sections contain: (1) national research and development (R&D) funding patterns; (2) academic R&D…

This annual publication contains reading materials designed to help students understand the complexities of the domestic and foreign policy issues facing the United States. The first portion of the book features background reading on the structure of the Federal Government. Next, 10 domestic policy issues are covered: the economy, education, civil…