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Primary Source Essentials Playlist

13 items

Declaration of Independence | Primary Source Essentials
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2 Min

How does the Declaration of Independence support the principles of individual liberty and self-government? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and Declaration of Independence summary, learn the arguments made by the American colonists as they sought to free themselves of British control.
2 Min
Articles of Confederation | Primary Source Essentials
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2 Min

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and Article of Confederation summary, learn why the first U.S. national government plan contain critical flaws that prevent its success and how they were addressed when drafting the Constitution.
2 Min
U.S. Constitution | Primary Source Essentials
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What does the Constitution do? What are the principles of self-government in the Constitution? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and United States Constitution summary, learn how the US Constitution was framed as a stronger, yet limited, government built upon certain principles. The US Constitution Explained | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/videos/the-constitution-explained-a-primary-source-close-read-w-bri
2 Min
Federalist 10 | BRI’s Primary Source Essentials
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2 Min

How did Federalist 10 allow the Founders to create a Constitution with a stable and lasting form of government? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and Federalist 10 summary, learn the arguments from James Madison, who wrote Federalist 10. Discover why the Federalists believed a large republic was key to the Constitution and other Federalist 10 main points. Primary Source Essentials Federalist 10 Handout: https://bri-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/PSE+Federalist+10+Handout.pdf
2 Min
Federalist 51 | Primary Source Essentials
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3 Min

What are the main Constitutional principles that help limit government? In this rapid-fire episode and Federalist 51 summary of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, learn the arguments made by James Madison, who wrote Federalist 51, in Federalist 51. The Federalist 51 main points explain why he believed the constitutional checks and balances put in place would help create a limited government.
3 Min
Federalist 70 | Primary Source Essentials
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2 Min

What were the essential characteristics of the executive branch according to Federalist 70? In this rapid-fire episode and Federalist 70 summary of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, learn the arguments made by Alexander Hamilton, who wrote Federalist 70, in Federalist 70. Discover the Federalist 70 main points and why he believed in a strong executive branch to protect liberty and self-government.
2 Min
Federalist 78 | Primary Source Essentials
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What is the judiciary’s role in the American constitutional system according to Federalist 78? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and Federalist 78 summary, learn the arguments made by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 78 and why he believed the judicial branch was the least dangerous and an essential part of the system of checks and balances.
2 Min
Brutus 1 | BRI’s Primary Source Essentials
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3 Min

Why did the Anti-Federalist so strongly oppose the proposed Constitution? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and Brutus 1 summary, learn the arguments made in Brutus 1 against the Constitution. Discover why the Anti-Federalists feared a large republic and other Brutus 1 main points. Primary Source Essentials Brutus 1 Handout: https://bri-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/PSE+Brutus+1+handout.pdf
3 Min
Gettysburg Address | Primary Source Essentials
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3 Min

How did President Lincoln outline his view of democracy in the Gettysburg Address? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, learn how President Lincoln appealed to all Americans to preserve and fulfill the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government. Discover the main points discussed in the Gettysburg Address and how this document showcased President Lincoln's view on democracy.
3 Min
Declaration of Sentiments | Primary Source Essentials
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3 Min

What were the claims the Declaration of Sentiments made on equality and self-government for women? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, learn why Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton called for the Seneca Falls Convention. Discover the main points discussed in the Declaration of Sentiments and how this document helped pave the way for the Women's Suffrage Movement.
3 Min
Letter From Birmingham Jail | Primary Source Essentials
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How does Martin Luther King, Jr. support justice and equality in “Letter From Birmingham Jail?” In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials and letter from Birmingham jail analysis, learn about the MLK letter from Birmingham jail while he was imprisoned for leading nonviolent civil rights demonstrations in Alabama in 1963. This letter from Birmingham jail summary explains why he thought people had a responsibility to follow just laws and a duty to break unjust ones.
The Truman Doctrine | Primary Source Essentials
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3 Min

How did the Truman Doctrine expand American global commitments to preserving democracy during the Cold War? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, learn how President Truman appealed to Congress to deliver aid to Greece and Turkey and the commitment of the United States to contain Soviet expansion around the globe. Discover the main points discussed in the Truman Doctrine and how this document fit in well with American foreign policy.
3 Min
The Northwest Ordinance | Primary Source Essentials
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3 Min

How did the Northwest Ordinance shape the expansion of the United States in the early republic? In this rapid-fire episode of BRI’s Primary Source Essentials, explore how the Confederation Congress established a process for admitting new states to the Union with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Learn about the three-step process for statehood, the protection of essential rights, the promotion of education, and the ban on slavery in the Northwest Territory. Discover how this critical ordinance laid the foundation for the creation of five states—Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota—and promoted republican principles of self-government and a healthy civil society.
3 Min