Click here to check out this educational film on the Presidency. Not super exciting, but it gets to the point.
For more resources on teaching American Government, check out our PowerPoints:
The Great Society by LBJ
President Johnson and others in the 1960s hoped to end poverty and racial injustice through a series of programs known as “The Great Society”.
In one of LBJ’s first speeches about the program at the University of Michigan on May 22, 1964 he outlines some of the major goals.
We have included an excerpted copy of the speech along with questions and answers. It is an accessible speech for students of all reading levels, which makes it a great primary source document lesson.
For more resources on teaching this era check out our:
US History PowerPoints
- US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
- US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
- The 1950s
- The Civil Rights Movement
- 1960s
- Vietnam
Classroom History Games
Nixon’s resignation letter
The Watergate scandal rocked the U.S. and resulted in the resignation of President Nixon.
We have included a copy of the letter submitted to Secretary of State Kissinger in August of 1974.
For more information on this era check out our PowerPoints:
- US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
- 1960s
- Vietnam
- The 1970s
- Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
Classroom history games:
1971 Agreement between the US and USSR to avoid nuclear war
Students feel empowered when they can read and understand primary source documents. Often they are written in language far above the ability of most middle and high schoolers and so some students give up.
This document, written in 1971 between two nations that were on the road to detente, provides an opportunity to have a little fun. It’s easy to read and can be translated into “teenage speak”.
We’ve included the Agreement, an assignment and answers for your classroom use.
For more Cold War Era resources check out our:
US History PowerPoints
- US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
- US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
- The 1950s
- 1960s
- Vietnam
- New! The 1970s
- Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
World History PowerPoints
Classroom history games
Duties of an American Citizen, TR 1883
Teddy Roosevelt was known as a brilliant orator, and this 1883 speech made as a NY State Assemblyman is no exception. He argues that participation in the government is an important part of being a good citizen, and that no one is exempt.
We have excerpted the speech and created questions and answers for your students.
This lesson could be used in any Social Studies class at any given moment as the concepts covered are applicable in many situations and ought to spark excellent discussions.
For more US History teaching resources check out our PowerPoints that cover this era:
Civil War era political cartoon
One of our favorite ways to teach is using political cartoons. The Civil War offers a great opportunity to do this as so much time is spent on military action that students can feel bogged down in statistics.
This cartoon depicts General Scott as Hercules slaying the great hydra.
We have included questions and answers along with the cartoon for your classroom use.
For more Civil War era resources check out our PowerPoints:
Wings For This Man, WWII film
Narrated by Ronald Reagan, this film highlights the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII.
For more WWII era resources check out our PowerPoints and Simulation Games:
US History
World History
“Peace Little Girl” or “Daisy Girl” commercial, 1964
Perhaps the most controversial presidential campaign commercial ever aired, it is hard to grasp that it was only shown once, yet contributed to Johnson’s landslide victory in 1964.
We have included questions and answers for this commercial.
For more on this era check out our PowerPoints:
Simulation games:
WWII ends in Europe with Germany’s surrender
It is mind boggling that years of fighting, massive destruction, and millions of deaths were ended by a simple 5 paragraph document.
We have included a copy of the transcript as well as questions and answers.
For more on WWII check out our resources:
US History PowerPoints
World History PowerPoints
Simulation games
Israeli Declaration of Independence, 1948
After WWII ended, the new nation of Israel was announced by their Declaration of Independence.
They hoped for UN recognition and peace with surrounding nations.
We have included a copy of the Declaration as well as questions and answers.
This might be an interesting comparison with other historical declarations.
For more on this era check out our PowerPoint resources:
