DocsTeach
Lincoln's Suspension of Habeas Corpus During the Civil War
What is the balance between constitutional rights and security during a war? Young historians debate the question while looking at Lincoln's decision to suspect habeas corpus during the Civil War. After reviewing his order, discussion...
DocsTeach
Alfred Sinker and the Writ of Habeas Corpus in 1861
Scholars learn how the judicial system treated under-age Civil War soldiers using historical analysis. The resource uses court documents to help historians understand why Habeas Corpus was used in the case of Alfred Sinker and why he was...
State Bar of Texas
Gideon v. Wainwright
How does a trial begin without a lawyer for the defendant? The 1963 Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright serves as the backdrop for the study of the rights of the accused. Scholars use a short video along with paired discussion and...
Read Works
A Constitution for Kids
What better day to celebrate the US Constitution than on Constitution Day! After reading a short passage about the different understandings of habeas corpus and ex post facto, sixth graders respond to 10 multiple choice and short answer...
Curated OER
English Constitutional Monarchy
Whether you are teaching British Literature, British History, or are simply interested in the history of English politics, this presentation takes the viewer on a journey through 600 years of England's royal and political upheavals....
Curated OER
Andrew Jackson and the Use of Martial Law and the Suspension of Habeas Corpus
Students explore the use of martial law at the Battle of New Orleans. In this Andrew Jackson lesson, students analyze primary documents pertaining to the move by Jackson to use martial law in the battle. Students then consider situations...
Curated OER
Debates Over Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus
Eighth graders study the concept of Habeas Corpus. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders research the reasons for and against suspending the writ of habeas corpus. Students analyze various documents.
Curated OER
Habeas Corpus and“Enemy Combatants”
Students explore the implications of habeus corpus. In this habeus corpus activity, students participate in reader's theatre activity regarding the origin of habeus corpus. Students then investigate the Hamdi v. Rumsfeld case and...
Curated OER
Lambdin Milligan and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
High schoolers research the case of Lambdin Milligan, a confederate supporter who was sentenced to death in Indiana during the time of the Civil War. They investigate the need to suspend civil liberties during the time of war.
OpenStax
Open Stax: 1863: The Changing Nature of the War
Students will learn about the term "total war" and be able to provide examples. They will also be able to describe mobilization efforts in the North and the South and explain why 1863 was a pivotal year in the war.
Indiana University
Civil Liberty & the Civil War: The Indianapolis Treason
Contains the remarks of U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist concerning the Ex Parte Milligan case, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War and the present, and the Indianapolis Treason Trials.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iii: Federal State Courts Relations
This resource shows the relationship between the Federal and State Courts as stated in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. This annotated text details issues like problems raised by concurrency, autonomy of state courts, and rules of...
Other
Presidents & the Constitution: War: Commander in Chief
The President of the United States has many powers. This site provides an extensive overview on the President's role as Commander in Chief and includes a video.
PBS
Ipt: The Haywood Trial: Class Warfare in an Idaho Courtroom
A television documentary from Idaho Public Television that recreates the trial of Big Bill Haywood, leader of the Western Federation of Miners, charged with hiring a hit man to kill an Idaho ex-governor. Read about how he was captured,...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus
This page provides Abraham Lincoln's orders to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in 1861 during the Civil War. From "Official Records of the Civil War."
Victorian Web
Brown University: Victorian Web: George Grenville (1712 1770)
Information is provided on the life and career of George Grenville, British prime minister during the reign of King George III.
Other
Lincoln University: Post Trial Protections
This site has information about post trial rights that we as American have. Cruel and unusual punishment, right to appeal, and right of habeas corpus are covered.
Other
Abraham Lincoln's White House: James Speed (1812 1887)
A description of Abraham Lincoln's friendship with James Speed and his term as Attorney General in the Lincoln Administration.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Annotation 3: Eighth Amendment
This particular page of annotations on the Eighth Amendment discusses the background and intended meaning of the phrase "cruel and unsual punishment".
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article I: Habeas Corpus Suspension
This resource discusses Article I of the U.S. Constitution and the suspension of Habeas Corpus during the Civil War. The links throughout the text lead to the footnotes at the bottom of the page.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Ex Parte Milligan
Read a brief abstract of the Ex Parte Milligan Case. Offers biographical links to each of the nine justices who decided upon the case.