1787: A More Perfect Union
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Analyze the preamble to the US Constitution. CONTEXT: As the American Revolution progressed, the Second Continental Congress ran the government; but they needed a plan. In November, 1777, after 16 months of debate, they adopted the Articles of Confederation. It was not ratified until 1781 (all states had to approve it before it…
1776: Jefferson’s Declaring Truths
ESSENTIONAL QUESTION: Analyze the opening of the US Declaration of Independence. CONTEXT: After the French and Indian War (1754-1763) in America, relationships between Great Britain and her American Colonies began to sour. Britain saw the relationship in economic terms–the Colonies’ purpose was to support Britain, providing raw materials and a market for goods. The Colonies…
1796: Washington and Parties
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Analyze the dangers of parties that George Washington foresaw for the young American Republic as he left public life. CONTEXT: George Washington (1732-1799) was born in Virginia to a prosperous planter family. He learned the culture of a colonial gentleman, and early on had two special interests: the military and westward expansion. At…
1879: Standing Bear v. Crook
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Analyze one of the first cases to establish Native American rights in the US. CONTEXT: Standing Bear (c.1829-1908) was born on Ponca land in what is now Nebraska near the Niobrara River. By the 1860s he was a tribal leader of the Ponca Tribe, and they faced a desperate situation. In 1858 the…
1848: Seneca Falls Convention
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Analyze conditions that contributed to the rise of the Women’s Rights Movement in America. CONTEXT: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) was an author, editor, and major influencer in the American women’s rights movement of the 19th century. Born in New York, she was educated at a local boys school and graduated from Troy Female…
1861: Sullivan Ballou Letter
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Major Sullivan Ballou use language to convey his deepest emotions to his wife? CONTEXT: Sullivan Ballou (1829-1861) was a lawyer and politician from Rhode Island. Married with two sons, he was an active Republican, supporter of Abraham Lincoln, and served in the Rhode Island legislature. At the outbreak of the American…
1814: Key’s “Rockets Red Glare”
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does The Star Spangled Banner represent America? CONTEXT: Francis Scott Key (1780-1843) was an amateur poet and well-known lawyer who argued before the US Supreme Court. From Frederick, Maryland, he wrote a poem entitled “The Defense of Fort M’Henry” which would eventually become “The Star Spangled Banner.” In 1814 the British Army…
1941: Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did President Franklin Roosevelt explain the purpose of World War II? CONTEXT: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) was the 32nd president of the United States (1933-1945), the only president to serve more than two terms. During his presidency America saw many years of the Great Depression as well as involvement in World War…
1776: Washington at Year’s End
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did George Washington use language to convince his Continentals to remain in arms even after the difficult year of 1776? CONTEXT: As the year 1776 drew to a close, the American war effort was in crisis. The British occupied New York. Congress had abandoned Philadelphia in the face of the British advance…
1865: Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Abraham Lincoln use language to convey his view of Reconstruction? CONTEXT: In 1864, the fourth year of the American Civil War, a presidential election was held in which incumbent Abraham Lincoln ran against General George McClellan, the campaign focusing on Lincoln’s war record. In late 1864 many believed Lincoln would lose…
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