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This collection includes photographs and flyers from the Progressive Era. Photos depict the "modern woman", consumer goods from the Era, and political candidates.

This video from Khan Academy is an overview of the Cold War which was a period of increased tensions and competition for global influence between the United States that lasted from approximately 1945 until 1991. Tensions increased in the aftermath of World War II when the United States dropped the atom bomb and Russian forces took over Eastern Europe. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union never directly attacked one another but instead fought proxy wars in order to repel or spread communism, respectively. This video can be played to introduce a lesson on the Cold War. The video is 11 minutes and 57 seconds in length.

In this lesson from iCivics, students learn about the different forms of government that exist, including democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, and others. They compare and contrast these forms, and they look at real-life examples in the world today.  

This week we introduce sociology’s three major theoretical paradigms, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each paradigm.

In this activity, students are challenged to discover why Mrs. Pickersgill sewed the original Star-Spangled Banner so large. Students will measure and mark off the dimensions with strings and then create a "human" flag using as many students as needed.  Students can research information and photos of the Star-Spangled Banner at the following link included in the activity: https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/. 

This video from Khan Academy provides an overview of Federalism in the United States including exclusive and concurrent federal and state powers. This video can be used to introduce a lesson on Federalism.  It is 6 minutes and 3 seconds in length.

In this video, students learn about Benjamin Franklin.  What do the light bulb, the post office, the lightning rod, the Constitution, and the modern fire department have in common? They were all invented by Ben Franklin. He was the genius behind most of modern-day life and technology. Amazing, isn't it?

This lesson looks at the legacy of George Washington, perhaps the most influential leader in the creation of the American nation. Through his achievements as commander-in-chief during the Revolution, in support of the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and as the first president, Washington was instrumental in transforming the ideals of the Revolution into reality. His career as a soldier, revolutionary, constitution-maker, and chief executive of a new nation demanded a range of skills and talents with few precedents in history.

When students have completed this lesson, they will be able to evaluate, take, and defend a position on the contributions of the "Father of His Country" to the nation's traditions of constitutional government and citizenship.

This video from the Daily Dose provides a 3-minute micro-learning film on the fall of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was Constantine I's extension of the Roman Empire until its overzealous military exhausted resources and economic conditions weakened the political environment, leading to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

In this learning activity, students explore the First Thanksgiving and focus on the declining relationship between the European settlers and the Native Americans. Additional resources for this learning activity can be found by clicking on Download PDF or DOC.

In this interactive activity, students will be led through steps to tell time using a calendar. There are teaching activities as well as practice activities available. A handout that reviews the steps taught during the interactive is available to be printed.  After utilizing this resource, the students can complete the short quiz to assess their understanding.

This clip provides a succinct overview of the founding of the 13 original U.S. colonies.

This clip explains the history behind the holiday known as Cinco de Mayo and dispels misconceptions that the holiday celebrates Mexican independence.

In this lesson, students watch a video and examine a collection of primary sources and curator interviews to gather information on the history of voting rights in the United States. Students use the information they gather to create a virtual exhibit. Additional voting resources and links are included.

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, John Green teaches students about the beginnings of the American Revolution. John argues that the Seven Years War, which is often called the French and Indian War in the US, laid a lot of the groundwork for the Revolution. Other stuff was going on in the colonies in the 18th century that primed the people for revolution. One was the Great Awakening. The religious revival was sweeping the country, introducing new ideas about religion and how it should be practiced. At the same time, thinkers like John Locke were rethinking the relationship between rulers and the ruled. So in this highly charged atmosphere, you can just imagine what would happen if the crown started trying to exert more control over the colonies.  This video can be used when teaching students about the role of essential documents in the establishment of colonial governments, including the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Mayflower Compact

This clip from the Smithsonian Channel discusses the Trail of Tears and how it got its name. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 resulted in the forced relocation of over 15,000 Cherokee people--a third of whom died during the journey to Oklahoma.

This free, interactive website helps middle and high school-aged students explore the effects of the Tennessee Valley Authority during the Great Depression and New Deal Era. The website includes videos, photographs, handouts, primary resources, and more. 

This lesson provides information on the impact that the Tennessee Valley Authority had on the Tennessee Valley region during the Great Depression. Lesson plans are provided on the website including introductory activities and extension activities. Lesson plan powerpoints are also available. Full-length videos are provided on the website with video response questions as well as interactive graphics for student use. 

In this lesson, students analyze political cartoons and letters to the editor in order to identify the range of reactions to the Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and the ways in which the court's mandates were blocked. Students will also connect a current issue to the Brown V. Board of Education case.

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, John Green lists a whole lot of the battles of the US Civil War in seven and a half minutes. We get a lot of requests for military history, so we offer a list of battle names, with some commentary about outcomes and lots of really interesting pictures.

**Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

Join host John Green to learn about Vikings, one of our most requested subjects on Crash Course. Many of the preconceived notions you have about Vikings may not be true. They weren't simply pagan raiders striking terror into the hearts of defenseless European Christendom. They were some of the greatest travelers of their time, and they weren't always traveling to steal. In many cases, they were traveling to trade. John will teach you about Viking trade goods and Norse Mythology - and some blood, guts, and dragons for good measure.

**Contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

In this passage, students will learn about Greek architecture, like painting, literature, and other forms of art that reflect the ideals of the people who build it. The Parthenon is the best example of ancient Greek architecture. The structure, created between 447 B.C.E. and 432 B.C.E., tells us a lot about the Greek way of thinking.

Note: You will need to create a free account to access this resource.

This is a collection of photographs and student activities that teach engineering skills by teaching students about the four forces of flight (drag, lift, weight, and thrust). Students are also challenged to a paper airplane test!

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, John Green teaches students about the Cold War, which was the decades-long conflict between the USA and the USSR. The Cold War was called cold because of the lack of actual fighting, but this is inaccurate. There was plenty of fighting, from Korea to Viet Nam to Afghanistan. The Cold War started, in short, by growing out of World War II when the Soviets occupied Eastern Europe and the US-supported western Europe. This setup would spill across the world, with client states on both sides.

Throughout 1929 daily papers reported that the future looked bright for investors -- even after the devastating market crash in October. Learn more with these primary sources, from American Experience: "The Crash of 1929."

In this reading passage, students learn about map elements including legend, symbols, keys, and grids. Maps help people understand the world. A world map shows where places are on Earth. That map helps us see how close or far one country is from another. A road map includes streets and highways. It helps travelers figure out how to get where they want to go.

This is a WebQuest from iCivics to help students learn about four civic tactics that supporters of women's suffrage took to move the nation to ratify the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Teachers can use this resource while teaching a lesson on women's suffrage.  

You will need to create a free account in order to access some of the content on this site.

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, the kids head to the Tribal Archives of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to view artifacts and records that show them more about the Creek Indians and their importance in Alabama.

Many Kentuckians turn against the war when Lincoln enlists black soldiers. There is also anger toward Lincoln because of the political and economic conditions. On April 14, 1865, Lincoln is assassinated. 

This resource is part of the KET Lincoln: "I, Too, Am a Kentuckian." collection.