Elections
10 items
Contentious Elections and the Peaceful Transition of Power
E Lesson
E Lesson
20 Min
Contentious elections are nothing new in U.S. history. This eLesson explores some of our most bitter presidential elections, and challenges students to analyze the value of a peaceful transfer of power within our governing system.
Continuity or Change?
Presidential Elections |
BRIdge from the Past: Art Across U.S. History
Video
Video
15 Min
In this episode, Mary and Josh analyze a political cartoon depicting the controversial 1824 presidential election in a unique way.
“A foot-race” (1824) shows a crowd cheering on candidates John Quincy Adams, William Crawford, Andrew Jackson,
and Henry Clay as they race toward a finish line. Which details stand out to you as meaningful,
and what do they convey about popular opinions on the election?
15 Min
Elections
Lesson - 11 Activities
Lesson
11 Activities
140 Min
Elections have consequences. They decide who holds power and therefore the laws that we live under. But they also reflect principles of federalism and consent of the governed, as well as the complexity of the American system.
140 Min
Voting
Lesson - 4 Activities
Lesson
4 Activities
60 Min
America holds more elections than any other democracy. The reason is federalism. Because of decentralization there are more offices for the electorate to fill and thus more elections.
60 Min
Shall Women Have the Right to Vote? (1866-1890)
Lesson - 7 Activities
Lesson
7 Activities
75 Min
How did the women’s suffrage movement grow after the Civil War? How did the Constitution and the Bill of Rights empower all individuals to express their political voices?
75 Min
Electoral College
Resource
Resource
The Electoral College is the system used by the United States to elect its lead executive. The College is outlined in Article II, Section 1 and in the Twelfth and Twenty-Third Amendments to the United States Constitution.
The Electoral College and Popular Vote for the President
E Lesson
E Lesson
20 Min
With the outcome of last week’s election, many Americans are questioning the history and validity of the electoral college. This lesson will help you think through the critical issues surrounding the structure and foundational philosophy of the Electoral college with your students.
Appraising the Electoral College
E Lesson
E Lesson
20 Min
How does the Electoral College work and why did the framers decide this was the best way to elect the country’s chief executive? This lesson explores these fundamental questions and asks students to debate pros and cons of keeping the Electoral College.
The Electoral College | Homework Help from the Bill of Rights Institute
Video
Video
7 Min
In this Homework Help narrative, learn about the origins and functions of the Electoral College. This constitutional institution has long been the subject of intense debate and scrutiny, and this video challenges students to think about it for themselves.
7 Min
Legacy of Republicanism
Lesson - 5 Activities
Lesson
5 Activities
60 Min
What major debates regarding representation occurred at the Constitutional Convention and during the ratification process? What constitutional principles animated the deliberations? These debates included whether the legislature would be unicameral or bicameral, the method of electing representatives, whether states would be represented equally or proportionally by population in the legislature, and whether enslaved individuals would be included in the population count. After completion of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, the debates continued as Anti-Federalists argued that the form of government created by the Constitution was insufficiently representative, and the liberties of the people would be in danger. Federalists defended the Constitution’s structure and insisted that the people would hold their elected representatives to high standards. Students participate in role play activities based on primary sources including James Madison’s The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, and the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers.
60 Min