Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Nixon Kennedy Debate
Although Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy weren't the first presidential candidates to use the media to reach the public, their debates showed most clearly how television could influence the voting public.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Presidential Election Partners
As a presidential election approaches, have students recruit an adult "election partner" to discuss and debate candidate selection and important issues related to the campaign. Becoming an active participant in the civic process takes...
New York Times
New York Times: Campaign 2004: The Presidential Debates
Interactive web page that contains an a slideshows of the 2004 presidential debates with analysis, video of the debates, and transcripts.
US Department of State
U.s. Dept. Of State: In Afghanistan, a Time to Debate and Decide
The 2009 presidential elections in Afghanistan were important to both the Afghanis as well as the United States and allied forces fighting in Afghanistan. (August 3, 2009)
Other
Commission on Presidential Debates: The 2000 Presidential Debates
This site contains transcripts of the three presidential debates held between Al Gore and George W. Bush. There is also a transcript of the vice-presidential debate held between Joseph Lieberman and Dick Cheney.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Independent Lens: Debate Begins
A third grade class in Wuhan province, China holds debates for the election of class monitor in this segment from Independent Lens. This is the first time education on democracy has been allowed in the city of Wuhan (most populace city...
Immigration and Ethnic History Society
Iehs: Carly Goodman, "Debating Diversity: The Diversity Visa Lottery"
This article focuses on the history of the Irish immigrants in the 80s and 90s who fought for ways to enter the US legally, the diversity in America, and the impact of the election of President Trump.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Pierce: Campaigns and Elections
An interesting account of the political conventions which had trouble choosing a candidate, and the lack of campaigning for president in the election of 1852. From the Miller Center.
Poynter Institute
Poynter Online: Presidential Debates Bibliography
An archive of transcripts of past presidential debates. The archive mostly contains transcripts of debates since 1980. However, there are a select few from previous election years.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Impact of Political Debates in the Television Age
This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state elections process as part of a unit to prepare for debates to be held in the Fall of 2010. The lesson may also be adapted for use as a stand alone lesson. Student...
Scholastic
Scholastic: New Yort Times Upfront: 1960: The First Mass Media Election
The Kennedy-Nixon presidential debates were the first televised debates. Read about the impact of the first debate and its effect on the election of 1960. Later presidential debates are also reviewed.
Other
Mary Ferrell Foundation: Kennedy Nixon Debates
Article on the Kennedy-Nixon debates and the impact television had on the election of 1960. Provides multiple links to primary source documents, related material, and video clips.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Election of 1960
Read about the campaign and election of 1960 in which the Democratic candidate, Senator John F. Kennedy, ran against the Repbulican candidate, Vice-President Richard M. Nixon. Find out about the issues, the famous debates, and Kennedy's...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Lincoln Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858 exemplified the rift in the nation concerning the issue of slavery and who should be able to determine whether states were free or slave. Read about this war of ideas that moved from the stage in...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Analyzing Gubernatorial Debates: The 2010 Election
This technology-based lesson encourages active engagement in the state electoral process. Students collaborate on a wiki designed to aid in analyzing candidates' responses in a gubernatorial debate. Pre-debate and post-debate activties...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Poll Results: The Election of 1936
Here is an interesting look at three of the issues debated in the 1936 election. See a poll taken in 2002 by American Experience to see how a contemporary audience would have voted based on those issues in 1936.
Other
Voice of America: Election of 1928: Americans Are Presented With a Clear Choice
Read a transcript from Voice of America's Making of a Nation series dealing with the election of 1928 between Herbert Hoover and Al Smith. You will read about the issues in the election and find that many national issues span time and...
Charles I. Kelly and Lawrence E. Kelly
American History: Election of 1960 Brings Close Race Between Kennedy, Nixon
This program from Voice of America, The Making of a Nation, presents events in American history. This segment begins with a review of the Eisenhower administration as a background to the campaign and election of 1960. Read or listen to...
University of California
Regional Oral History Office: 1992 Presidential Election
A brief overview of the presidential election of 1992 which included a strong third party candidate, H. Ross Perot. See what the issues were and find out why an incumbent was defeated. Included is a video clip of one of the presidential...
Library of Congress
Loc: Presidential Elections and the Electoral College
This congressional record of the proceedings of the Electoral Commission of 1877 includes primary source documents that give insight into the functions of the electoral college. Includes discussions of vote counting, contested results...
Other
Real Debates????
Why are presidential/vice-presidential debates limited to just the two major parties? This site provides info on the organization running the debates and the rules that they follow.
C-SPAN
S Span Classroom: Gerrymandering
A complete learning module provides students with multi-media information from which they examine and debate the gerrymandering process, debating who should control the redistricting process. Site includes lesson plan, vocabulary...
270 To Win
270towin: 2020 Presidential Election Calendar
2020 presidential election calendar includes known dates for state primary and caucus events, party conventions and presidential debates.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: National Discussion and Debate Series: Health Care
This detailed series of lesson plans is designed to provide students with background for examining whether health care is a fundamental right and if the government should act to provide it. The three to seven period lesson culminates in...