This is the first of 2 podcasts that explores an array of views on the role that the courts should play in American life and how they should interpret the Constitution and our laws. In this episode, we specifically discuss the historical arguments regarding the doctrine of judicial supremacy.Teaching American History’s Documents in Detail series focuses on a single document from one of our Core Document Collection volumes. TAH’s CDC volumes are available for purchase or free download at tah.org.CDC Volume: The JudiciaryDocument: Abraham Lincoln, Speech on the Dred Scott Decision
The U.S. Constitution defines three branches of government: the legislative, executive and judicial. Even during the Federal Convention of 1787, delegates disagreed on the structure, powers, and responsibilities of these branches. The Federalist/Antifederalist battles during ratification; the controversy over Lincoln’s use of executive power during the Civil War; and the modern debates around an “imperial presidency,” “congressional do-nothings,” and “activist judges” illustrate that our conception of three branches is still problematic. To what extent can power be shared among coequal branches of government? Are the three branches actually coequal? And if they are coequal, is the act of governing too hard under the U.S. Constitution? Or has modern government destroyed the separation of powers?Federalist 51“Fireside Chat” on the Plan for Reorganization of the JudiciaryImmigration and Naturalization Service v. ChadhaMorrison v. Olson
Join us for two free professional development webinars that explore Abraham Lincoln’s unmatched understanding of American political principles. For this session, we will be focusing on Document 12 – Fragment on the Constitution and Union.Teaching American History’s Documents in Detail series focuses on a single document from one of our Core Document Collection volumes. TAH’s CDC volumes are available for purchase or free download at tah.org.Download Abraham Lincoln here
Join our scholars on a Saturday morning for a moderated conversation about American foreign policy.Today’s question: Do American ideals require American intervention abroad?Teaching American History’s Saturday webinar series provides educators with a chance to participate in a text-based roundtable discussion of American history and politics. For the 2022-2023 season we’ve chosen to highlight controversial topics from America’s past. These webinars are open to social studies, history, government, civics and humanities educators.Readings:-George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796-John Quincy Adams, An Address . . . Celebrating the Declaration of Independence, 1821-Albert Beveridge, In Support of an American Empire, 1900-Lyndon Johnson, Peace Without Conquest, 1965 -Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The Four Freedoms,"1941
Did the imperialistic impulses of the late nineteenth century destroy America’s small r republican identity? Or was it merely a continuation of the Manifest Destiny ideology that had guided American expansionism since the Founding? Join us as we discuss Carl Schurz’s resonant 1899 speech “Against American Imperialism.”