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Website
US Navy

U.s. Military History and National Security

For Students 9th - 10th
An internet guide to US military history and national security. Includes links to the history of the US armed forces and specific branches as well as information on the different federal organizations involved in national security.
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Handout
Other

U.s Foreign Policy: National Security and Defense Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
The final three chapters examine the three primary substantive areas that affect U.S. foreign policy today: national security, global economic relations, and transnational issues. This chapter begins by reviewing national security and...
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Website
Other

Quadrennial Defense Review Report

For Students 9th - 10th
This Quadrennial Defense Review from the U.S. Department of Defense dated February 2006 reports on our defense program. Topics discussed include homeland security, mass destruction weapons, and surveillance. There is a large collection...
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Primary
George Washington University

National Security Archive: Kennedy Considered Supporting Coup in S. Vietnam

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating look into recently declassified tapes and documents that traced President John Kennedy's thinking on whether the United States should support a military coup against South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem in the summer of...
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Handout
Other

Rand: International Security and Defense Policy Center

For Students 9th - 10th
ISDP explores the implications of political, strategic, economic, and technological challenges for global security and the specific national and regional security interests of its sponsors. It assists national security decision makers in...
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Website
Other

Center for Strategic & International Studies

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a public policy research institution dedicated to analysis and policy impact." Site gives student information and research on topics of national and international security.
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Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson with activity in which students study and analyze the challenges surrounding constitutional rights and national security by focussing on the Alien and Sedition Act, 1798 and definitions of American freedom. Links to primary...
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Handout
Federation of American Scientists

Fas: Strategic Defense Initiative Transcript [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A transcript of National Security Decision Directive 172, issued by Reagan administration staffers in 1985. A formal statement of the administration's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) two years into SDI's research and development. With...
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Activity
Other

Nat'l Security Agency: National Cryptologic Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
On this site one can find the National Security Agency's history of cryptology, some online exhibits, and sections on mathematics, education, and more.
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Website
Other

The Henry L. Stimson Center: Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Henry L. Stimson Center is an independent, nonprofit, public policy institute committed to finding and promoting innovative solutions to the security challenges confronting the United States and other nations in the twenty-first...
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Website
Other

Overseas Security Advisory Council

For Students 9th - 10th
Everything you wanted to know about the Overseas Security Advisory Council - "an enormously succcessful joint venture for effective security cooperation. Topics include: Global News, What's New, Publications, and Site Search, among others.
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Website
Central Intelligence Agency

Cia: Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about America's Central Intelligence Agency and how it works to provide national security intelligence. The resource discusses careers with the CIA, how the organization is run and its history. Also view the "World Factbook"...
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Handout
George Mason University

Chnm: Critical Infrastructure Protection Oral History Project

For Students 9th - 10th
Project documents the history of the nation's efforts to protect what has come to be called critical infrastructure--the systems and structures that are vital to the smooth and safe functioning of our economy, society, and way of life.
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Activity
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: Homeland Security in the Information Age

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the story detailing new attempts at sorting and using the large quantities of data generated by security measures in the information age. (4 September 2002)
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers:cyber War

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the extent to which the critical infrastructure of the U.S., including electrical power, finance, telecommunications, health care, transportation, water, defense and the Internet, is vulnerable to cyber attack.
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Primary
Mount Holyoke College

Nsc 68: Prologue to Rearmament

For Students 9th - 10th
Article outlines the history of the NSC-68 document from drafting through its submission to the President. The impact of the document on defense spending is also explained.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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Primary
George Washington University

Nsa: The Pentagon Papers: Secrets, Lies, and Audiotapes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an extensive history of the 1971 Pentagon Papers case. Features include transcripts of President Nixon's tapes, White House phone conversations, memoirs, and other primary resources.
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Primary
American Rhetoric

American Rhetoric: Ashton B. Carter: All Hands Meeting Address

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the text, audio, and video of Ashton B. Carter, the newly appointed 25th Secretary of Defense, addressing his colleagues concerning how he will approach the position on February 19, 2015, at The Pentagon, in Washington, D.C.
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Primary
Other

Federation of American Scientists: Eliminating Threat From Ballistic Missiles

For Students 9th - 10th
A transcript of National Security Decision Directive 85, issued by the Reagan administration in 1983, which formally declares the administration's intention to pursue the research and development of defensive systems-the Strategic...
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Unit Plan
Internal Revenue Service

Irs: Payroll Taxes and Federal Income Tax Withholding

For Students 9th - 10th
Payroll taxes include the Social Security tax and the Medicare tax. Social Security taxes provide benefits for retired workers, the disabled, and the dependents of both. The Medicare tax is used to provide medical benefits for certain...
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Website
Other

Foreign Policy Association

For Students 9th - 10th
The FPA is an "organization founded in 1918 to educate Americans about significant world issues that have an important impact on their lives." Gives students an opportunity to take part in activities through the Great Decisions program.
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Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Peace Becomes Cold War, 1945 1950

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of historical events that led to the Cold War from the perspective of the U.S. Army. Particular emphasis is placed on military leadership and policy.
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Website
University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: American Diplomacy

For Students 9th - 10th
An on-line magazine that provides "Commentary, Analysis, and Research on American Foreign Policy and Its Practice." Also contains articles from actual ambassadors and diplomats in the Foreign Service.