Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Amer.: Civil Liberties: Safeguarding Individual
Do you understand what happens when there are disputes over the interpretation and protection of civil liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights? When do the rights of the individual trump the perceived needs of society, and when do...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Alien and Sedition Acts
A great description of the Alien and Sedition Acts, passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798. See how the Federalists tried to hang on to power by restricting voting privileges and infringing on free speech and freedom of the press.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch: Venezuela
Various articles depicting possible human rights violations by the current government of Venezuela. Ranging from the beating of anti government demonstrators to infringements on the freedom of the press, Human Rights Watch has some major...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Life Without the Bill of Rights?
This a click-and-explore activity that puts you in control and ask you to consider how life would change without some of our most cherished freedoms. Life Without the Bill of Rights? invites you to understand the significance of your...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Trials of Mary Dyer (1659 & 1660)
Mary Dyer was on a spiritual quest to Boston, to Portsmouth, to Newport, and to the northwest coast of England, where she became an ardent member of a new religion - a Quaker, or a member of the Society of Friends. Determined to spread...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Virtual Victory?
Discussion of the implications of the Supreme Court ruling against the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act, including give and take on the meaning of the decision for children. Includes transcript of discussion, and link...
BBC
Bbc News: Story of the War in Iraq
Interactive web page that tells the story of the war in Iraq through pictures, audio, and video.
NBC
Nbc Learn: Free Resources: Finishing the Dream: Learning From Civil Rights Era
Over one hundred video clips, culled from NBS News archives, document events and issues of the civil rights era, from 1954-68. Also includes contemporary perspectives on civil rights, with videos of town hall-style conversations about...
Other
Electronic Frontier Foundation
This resource is devoted to protecting digital rights through the expertise of lawyers, policy analysts, activists, and technologists and the website contains press releases, court cases and an action center.
Savvas Learning
Changing Views of Free Speech
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the idea of freedom of speech has changed throughout the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
Other
Freedom Forum: First Amendment Struggles & Triumphs
Find out how the First Amendment serves citizens in real life by reading about Daniel Ellsberg, Mary Beth Tinker, and Alton T. Lemon, all of whom were principal litigants in landmark Supreme Court cases regarding the freedom of expression.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The "Clear and Present Danger" Test
Modern first amendment law was formed by cases during the WWI era. Were dissent and subversive activity protected by freedom of speech? Examine five cases that answered this constitutional question. Included are the full opinions of the...
Yale University
The Avalon Project: Declaration of the Rights of Man
After a long debate about what should be included in their Bill of Rights, French leaders eventually came to a "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen," seventeen articles that laid out a government that protected natural rights....
George Mason University
Roy Rosenzweig Center: Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
After a long debate about what should be included in their Bill of Rights, French leaders eventually came to a "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen," seventeen articles that laid out a government that protected natural rights....
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: The Alien and Sedition Acts
Objective of this lesson is to understand the provisions of the Alien and Sedition Acts within their political and constitutional contexts.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Rcfp: The Ethics of Recording Conversations [Pdf]
This cleverly designed article contains the laws concerning taping and recording conversation in regard to privacy rights. From the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
Other
Behind the Scenes: The Mc Carran Internal Security Act
Read about the origins and impact of the McCarran Internal Security Act which President Harry Truman called "the greatest danger to freedom of speech, press and assembly, since the Alien and Sedition Laws of 1798." Find out how a fear of...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Cost of the War in Iraq (Lesson Plan)
A lesson for examining the projected costs of war, both short-term and long-term costs as of 2003, and for identifying how war funds are spent. Students will gain understanding of the logistics of war and the nuances of creating a budget.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Iraq in Transition
Web page with biographical information about key players in the war with Iraq.
FOX News
Fox News: Deadly Attack on Us Military Base
Report on the deadly attack on a U.S. base in Mosul, part of the continuing insurgency in Iraq. 12/22/2004
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: The Struggle to Define Free Speech: From Skokie to Paris
Relevant resource on free speech in which students examine how different societies define freedom of expression. Through multi-media sources students look at historical sources as well as current controveries over free speech.
US National Archives
White House: President Discusses Beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom
In this transcript of President George W. Bush's radio announcement to the country concerning the invasion of Iraq, he explains the nation's reasons for entering into war. (March 22, 2003)
Other
Us Courts: First Amendment Activities
Activities for students that make learning about the 1st Amendment relevant by applying landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to the five parts of the First Amendment and rights to freedom of religion, speech,...