Thomas Jefferson, the man who wrote the famous line “all men are created equal,” was a life-long slave-owner. Over the course of his life, he would own 600 human beings, and at any given time there would be roughly 100 slaves living and working on and around Jefferson’s plantation and farms. This handout describes Thomas Jefferson’s views on slavery.
Letter From Birmingham City Jail (Excerpts), Martin Luther King, Jr.
MLK was leading a demonstration in Birmingham, Alabama where it was forbidden to make demonstrations. This was the first time King had decided to break the law for he believed that the law was unjust. While incarcerated he wrote a letter in reply to a letter published about accusations made on him in the Birmingham Post Herald.
The Talented Tenth, W.E.B. DuBois
W.E.B Du Bois emphasizes the necessity for higher education in order to develop proper leadership capabilities among the most able 10% of black Americans. He often stressed the importance of educating his peers.
Slavery a Positive Good, John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun was a U.S. statesman and spokesman for the slave-plantation system of the South. He explains in this article that slavery gives people more serious opportunities to better themselves because of slaves. This source allows students to examine the supposed justifications for slavery and challenge the assumptions made by slaveowners.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) High School Level
This case summary provides teachers with everything they need to teach about Brown v. Board of Education (1954). It contains background information in the form of summaries and important vocabulary at three different reading levels, as well a review of relevant legal concepts, diagram of how the case moved through the court system, and summary of the decision. This resource also includes nine classroom-ready activities that teach about the case using interactive methods. Middle school level also available.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) Middle School Level
This case summary provides teachers with everything they need to teach about Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857). It contains background information in the form of summaries and important vocabulary at three different reading levels, as well a review of relevant legal concepts, diagram of how the case moved through the court system, and summary of the decision. This resource also includes five classroom-ready activities that teach about the case using interactive methods. High school level also available.
Hollingsworth v. Perry (2013)
Does the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibit California from defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2013.
Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Ed. (2005)
Does Title IX allow suits for retaliation for complaints about unlawful sex discrimination? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2005.
Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
Does a Texas law that criminalizes sexual intimacy by same-sex couples violate the Fourteenth Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2003.
Civic Action and Change (Lesson Plan and Powerpoint)
Students explore examples of civic action and change by looking at the efforts in four movements in the 20th century; women’s rights, disability awareness, Native American rights, and migrant worker rights. Through these examples, student will describe the process of civic action through the I AM chart (Inform, Act, Maintain).