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Our Documents Teacher Sourcebook, Volume II Is a Program Of A National Initiative on American History, Civics, OurOur and Service DocumentsDocuments Our Documents Teacher Sourcebook, Volume II is a program of: The Sourcebook is sponsored by: The National Archives and Records Administration, National History Day and The History Channel are proud to partner in the Our Documents initiative and this second volume of the Our Documents Teacher Sourcebook. This program is not just about looking at old documents. The documents are a catalyst for getting teachers, students, parents, and all Americans to strengthen their understanding and appreciation of the records and values that undergird our democracy. Exploring the historical milestones they represent teaches us about our continual quest to “form a more perfect union.” This year we are making more supporting material for the 100 documents available, sharing new ideas on how you can use these documents in your classes, and inviting you and your students to participate in a vote on the 10 most significant documents in our history. When President Bush launched the Our Documents initiative in September 2002 he noted, “Our history is not a story of perfection. It is a story of imperfect people working toward great ideas.”We hope you find this sourcebook helpful as your classes explore the great ideas at the heart of our union. John W. Carlin Cathy Gorn, Ph.D. Libby O’Connell, Ph.D. Archivist of the Executive Director Historian in Residence United States National History Day The History Channel Our Documents:A National Initiative on American History, A Timeline: THE 100 DOCUMENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE 1777 1778 1782 Declaration of Articles of Confederation— Treaty of Alliance Original Design Independence— This is the first “blueprint” of with France— of the Great Seal The formal statement of government adopted by the Believing that they would of the United States— 1776 separation and list of griev- Continental Congress during benefit militarily by allying Several years in the Lee Resolution— ances, as well as the princi- the Revolutionary War. Wary themselves with a powerful making, the Great Seal is Richard Henry Lee, Virginia ples that inform them, is of a strong central power in nation, the revolutionary adopted by Congress; delegate to the Second issued by the Continental the wake of their experi- colonies form an alliance it symbolizes the sover- Continental Congress, urges Congress on behalf of the ences with Britain, the with France against Great eignty of the new nation. the Congress to declare 13 American colonies Articles reserve the right for Britain. According to this colonial independence from against Great Britain. each state to maintain “its first military treaty of the Great Britain on June 7. His sovereignty, freedom and new nation, the United statement to the independence.” The Articles States will provide for a Revolutionary Congress, identify Americans as defensive alliance to aid which is adopted and forms citizens of their own state France should England the basis of the Declaration first, and of the United States attack, and neither France of Independence, is known second. nor the United States will as the “Lee Resolution.” make peace with England until the independence of the United States is recognized. National History Day is a nationally acclaimed history education program that is promoting the study of civics and citizenship among the nation’s students and teachers. National History Day is encouraging students in grades USA Freedom Corps is a 6-12 to participate in its annual White House Coordinating student competition on Council created by President Exploration, Encounter, George W. Bush to help foster Exchange in History and is a culture of service, citizenship challenging teachers to develop and responsibility in America’s lessons to restore the study of communities. To find out more, our nation’s heritage to a go to www.usafreedomcorps.gov. prominent place in the classroom. To find out more, go to www.nationalhistoryday.org. The Teacher Sourcebook is The National Archives and sponsored by The History Records Administration is Channel. Now reaching 83.2 a federal agency that provides million Nielsen subscribers, The ready access to essential History Channel brings history government records that to life in a powerful manner It is the purpose of Our Documents: document the rights of and provides an inviting place A National Initiative on American American citizens, the actions where people experience of Federal officials, and the history personally and connect History, Civics, and Service, to national experience. Through their own lives to the great promote public exploration of how the National Archives lives and events of the past. our democracy has taken shape over Experience, the National The History Channel received time. Our Documents is an initiative of Archives is developing new, the prestigious Governor’s National History Day and The National interactive educational award from the Academy of Archives and Records Administration in programs to give people a Television Arts & Sciences for cooperation with the USA Freedom Corps. deeper understanding of the the network’s Save Our History contemporary importance and campaign dedicated to historic value of our country’s recorded preservation and education. history. To find out more, go to Find out more at Civics,and Service www.archives.gov. www.historychannel.com. 1783 1787 Treaty of Virginia Plan— Northwest Ordinance— Paris— Having agreed the This ordinance, passed by the Ending the Articles of Confederation Confederation Congress on July war between were too weak a basis 13, establishes the United States’ Great Britain on which to build a new control over the territory north and its former national government, the of the Ohio River and east of colonies, delegates to a the Mississippi River. The this treaty convention charged with ordinance lays the groundwork formally creating a new for national westward expansion by recognizes the Constitution for the defining steps for the creation of new states. United States United States adopt this as an new blueprint for independent government on May 29. nation. Written by Virginia convention delegate James Madison, this plan proposes a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also enables the legislative branch to veto state laws and use force against states that fail to fulfill their duties. Our Documents:A National Initiative on American History,Civics,and Service Teacher Sourcebook, Volume II The Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service ■ Teacher Sourcebook is sponsored by The History Channel. The Our Documents Initiative is also sponsored by Siemens and US News & World Report. © Copyright 2003 National History Day May be duplicated without permission for educational purposes. Not for resale. Compiled and Edited by: Maria Mazzenga and Julie McCullough, National History Day Contributions and Editorial Assistance by: Lee Ann Potter and Daniel Rulli, National Archives and Records Administration Development and Editorial Assistance by: Cathy Gorn, Executive Director, National History Day Image Editors: Mark Robinson, National History Day, and Jeff Reed, National Archives and Records Administration Design by: Jane Farthing, Art Director, Rabil + Bates Communication Design Company 1787 continued Constitution of the Federalist Paper No. 10— United States— In order for the newly drafted After months of debate in Constitution to become law, it needs Philadelphia, the to be ratified by nine of the 13 states. Convention charged with Some voters in the states have to be constructing a system of convinced that the new Constitution government to replace is worth adopting. The Federalist that created by the Papers, which are a series of Articles of Confederation newspaper essays written by James adopts a new national Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Constitution. This John Jay, are written to promote Constitution creates a the ratification of the Constitution. representative democratic In Federalist No. 10, Madison republican form of argues that the representative government with a system democratic republican form of government created by the of checks and balances. The new government will have new Constitution provides a remedy for the diseases to three branches: the Legislative branch that will include a which such governments are most prone: factions. House of Representatives and a Senate, an Executive branch, and a Judicial branch. Timeline CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Lesson Plans: 20 Numerous, Various, Revealing, Ubiquitous, and Teachable Documents 35 Worksheets for Analyzing Contents Historical Sources Introduction: Expanding Initiative 42 Using Our Documents to Meet Local Standards: 4 Toward “A More Perfect Union”: A View from Virginia The Our Documents Initiative in its Second Year 47 Lessons that Work: Last Year’s Our Documents 7 The People’s Vote, Town Hall Meeting 3 Educator Competition Winners & The Preservation Video 48 Jefferson and the Exploration of the West Working with Our Documents 51 George Washington’s 10 Understanding Our Documents: Farewell Address A Competition for Students 57 “Jim Crow Must Go”: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 11 Teaching Our Documents: A Lesson Competition for Educators More About Our Documents 13 List of the 100 Milestone Documents 72 Preserving Our Documents: The Charters of Freedom 15 Introducing Students to Primary Source Documents 78 Selected Bibliography we the people in order to form a more
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