184 items
T. H. Breen is William Smith Mason Professor Emeritus of American History at Northwestern University. Order The Will of the People at the Gilder Lehrman Book Shop We receive an affiliate commission from every purchase through the...
Steven A. Steinbach and Maeva Marcus - "With Liberty and Justice for All? The Constitution in the Classroom"
Steven A. Steinbach teaches US history and government at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC and Maeva Marcus is a professor of law at George Washington University. Order With Liberty and Justice for All? at the Gilder...
Bruce A. Ragsdale - "Washington and the Plow: The Founding Farmer and the Question of Slavery"
Bruce A. Ragsdale has served as the director of the Federal Judicial History Office at the Federal Judicial Center. Order Washington and the Plow at the Gilder Lehrman Book Shop We receive an affiliate commission from every purchase...
"No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas"
Junius G. Groves came from humble beginnings in the Bluegrass State. Born in Kentucky into slavery, freedom came when he was still a young man and he intended to make a name for himself. Along with thousands of other African...
Inside the Vault: Benjamin Franklin
On February 2, 2023, our curators discussed Benjamin Franklin’s copy of the US Constitution and Jean-Antoine Houdon’s bust of Franklin. They were joined by Liz Covart (Founding Director, Colonial Williamsburg Innovation Studios) and...
Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham - "From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans"
Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham is the Victor S. Thomas Professor of History and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Order From Slavery to Freedom at the Gilder Lehrman Book Shop We receive an affiliate...
Inside the Vault: Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Voting Rights
On May 4, 2023, our curators were joined by Dr. Andrew Robertson (The Graduate Center and Lehman College, CUNY) to discuss materials related to eighteenth- and nineteenth-century voting rights. Dr. Robertson explained how voting...
Voting Rights and Restrictions in Pre-Emancipation America
Paragraphs
> Access this essay as a PDF , including key vocabulary terms and discussion questions, or read the text of the essay below. The concept of “democracy” changed throughout early American history. In...
Inside the Vault: The Whiskey Rebellion and United States Great Seal
On June 1, 2023, our curators were joined by Dr. Gautham Rao (American University) to discuss the Whiskey Rebellion and the United States Great Seal. The program explored the broader context of the Whiskey Rebellion and how it, like...
Inside the Vault: 1796 Civics Textbook
On July 6, 2023, our curators were joined by Dr. Adam Laats (Binghamton University) to discuss the 1796 book A Plain Political Catechism Intended for the Use of Schools in the United States of America . The program explored the...
Inside the Vault: The Reynolds Pamphlet
What led Alexander Hamilton to publish the infamous Reynolds Pamphlet (entitled Observations on Certain Documents . . . ) in which he confessed to an extramarital affair? What impact did it have on him, his family, and his career?...
Inside the Vault: Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker is known for his work in science, mathematics, and astronomy. In 1791, he wrote to Thomas Jefferson to point out the contradictions between the existence of slavery and the American ideals espoused in the...
Inside the Vault: Fighting for the Rights of Black Lives in the Founding Era
Prince Hall and James Forten protested the treatment of Black Americans during the Founding Era. In 1788 in Boston, Hall wrote a petition demanding the Massachusetts government protect Black sailors from being kidnapped and sold into...
"Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton"
This is a beautiful and informative biography featuring extensive back matter–including information about America’s revolution, the historical relevance of letter writing, and a timeline–and exquisite, thoroughly researched art that...
"Brick by Brick"
The home of the United States president was built by many hands, including those of enslaved persons, who undertook this amazing achievement long before there were machines to do those same jobs. Stirring and emotional, Floyd Cooper...
A brawl between Federalists and anti-Federalists, 1788
In 1787 and 1788, debates over the ratification of the Constitution took place in towns and villages across the country. To gain support, both Federalists and anti-Federalists held meetings and marches that sometimes became violent....
“Defence of Fort McHenry” or “The Star-Spangled Banner,” 1814
In September 1814, Francis Scott Key, an attorney and DC insider, watched the American flag rise over Baltimore, Maryland’s Fort McHenry from a British ship in the harbor. Key had been negotiating the release of an American captive...
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
Who is the “Father of Our Country”? Explained by Denver Brunsman Associate Professor of History, George Washington University Question 69
Who was the first president?
Who was the first president? Explained by Denver Brunsman Associate Professor of History, George Washington University Question 70
What is freedom of religion?
What is freedom of religion? Explained by Phillip A. Jackson Rector, Trinity Church Wall Street Question 10
How many US senators are there?
How many US senators are there? Explained by Misha Matsumoto Yee Educator from Hawaii Question 18
We elect a US senator for how many years?
We elect a US senator for how many years? Explained by Misha Matsumoto Yee Educator from Hawaii Question 19
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
The House of Representatives has how many voting members? Misha Matsumoto Yee Educator from Hawaii Question 21
We elect a US Representative for how many years?
We elect a US Representative for how many years? Explained by Misha Matsumoto Yee Educator from Hawaii Question 22
Who does a US senator represent?
Who does a US senator represent? Explained by Misha Matsumoto YeeYee Educator from Hawaii Question 24
Why do some states have more US representatives than other states?
Why do some states have more US representatives than other states? Explained by Misha Matsumoto Yee Educator from Hawaii Question 25
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name one of the writers.
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name one of the writers. Explained by Marc delaCruz Cast member from Hamilton Question 67
Spain's "Royal Gift" to George Washington, 1784
George Washington, as a landowner, was an agricultural scientist anxious to improve production on his plantations. His political experiences brought him into contact with agriculturalists from around the world and his military...
Spain's Multicultural Militias | Spanish Influence on American History
Notes on Spain's Multicultural Militias Featuring José Manuel Guerrero Acosta
English > In this video, military historian José Manuel Guerrero Acosta of the Academy of Military Arts and Sciences examines a primary source...
The Spirit of the Revolution Reaches Latin America | Spanish Influence on American History
The Spirit of the Revolution Reaches Latin America The Lost Legacy: Hispanic Heritage and the American Revolution
>
Discovering Diego de Gardoqui | Spanish Influence on American History
Discovering Diego de Gardoqui
> An approach to the figure of Diego María de Gardoqui y Arriquibar (Bilbao, 1735 - Turin, 1798), merchant, diplomat and first representative of the Spanish Crown in the newborn United States...
Diplomacy and Partnership in the Time of the Revolution | Spanish Influence on American History
Diplomacy and Partnership in the Time of the Revolution
>
Glory Liu- "Adam Smith's America: How a Scottish Philosopher Became an Icon of American Capitalism"
Glory Liu is the assistant director for the Center for Economy and Society and assistant research professor at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Order Adam Smith’s America at the Gilder Lehrman Book Shop We receive...
Showing results 151 - 184