American History- Educator Workshop
Designed for teachers participating in our American History workshops, this page provides access to the reader, podcast episodes, and virtual materials used during the workshop. Explore the key debates that shaped the American Founding, the Civil War, and the Progressive Era through primary sources and companion podcast episodes.
Part 1: The American Founding
Essential Question
How did Americans create a new constitutional republic?
This section follows the transition from colonial resistance to independence and the creation of new state and national governments. Teachers will explore debates about rights, representation, federalism, constitutional design, and civic virtue.
Featured Texts
- Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
- Virginia Declaration of Rights
- Constitution of Pennsylvania
- Declaration of Independence Draft Revisions
- Constitution of Massachusetts
- Northwest Ordinance
- Madison, Vices of the Political System
- Washington's Farewell Address
Civic Literacy Curriculum Alignment
Section 4: Colonial Period and Independence
Relevant CLC Lessons
- Declaring Independence (Q8-9)
- Declaration and Founding Ideals (Q10-11)
- Antecedents to the Constitution (Q14)
- Articles of Confederation
- Constitutional Convention
- Washington's Farewell Address
The American Founding Recommended Podcast Companions
How the Right to Petition Shapes Government Responses
Colonial Foundations: The Journey from British Charters to American Constitutions
The Anti-Federalists: America's Overlooked Founding Voices
From Declaration to Constitution: Tracing America's Founding Principles
The Declaration of Independence: The Preamble
The Declaration's Blueprint for Revolution
Part 2: The Civil War
Essential Question
Can a nation dedicated to liberty and equality survive division over slavery and union?
This section examines the constitutional crisis of the Civil War, competing interpretations of the Declaration and Constitution, executive power during wartime, emancipation, and the meaning of Reconstruction.
Featured Texts
- Dred Scott v. Sandford
- Lincoln at Cooper Institute
- Democratic Platform of 1860
- Republican Platform of 1860
- Secession Declarations
- Lincoln's First Inaugural
- Corner Stone Speech
- Habeas Corpus Documents
- Emancipation Proclamation
- Lincoln's Second Inaugural
- Douglass, "Reconstruction"
Civic Literacy Curriculum Alignment
Section 5: The 1800s
Relevant CLC Lessons
- Slavery and the Constitution
- Secession
- Lincoln and the Union
- Civil War
- Emancipation
- Reconstruction
- Frederick Douglass
- Reconstruction Amendments
The Civil War Recommended Podcast Companions
Lincoln's First Inaugural
Douglass, Garrison, and the Constitution
The Emancipation Proclamation
What the Black Man Wants by Frederick Douglass
How the 13th and 15th Amendments End Slavery and Redefine Voting
Part 3: The Progressive Era
Essential Question
How should the government respond to the challenges of a modern industrial society?
This section explores competing views of democracy, economic regulation, administrative government, constitutional interpretation, and reform during the Progressive Era.
Featured Texts
- Altgeld, Address on the State of Illinois
- Lewelling, Farewell Address
- Hunt, Letters
- Lochner v. New York
- Wilson, "The Study of Administration"
- Croly, The Promise of American Life
- Wilson, What is Progress?
- Coolidge, 150th Anniversary Address
Civic Literacy Curriculum Alignment
Section 6: Recent American History
Relevant CLC Lessons
- Industrialization
- Progressive Reform
- Woodrow Wilson
- Constitutional Change in the Twentieth Century
- The Modern Presidency
- Franklin Roosevelt's Constitutional Revolution