Teaching American History's philosophy is that the best way to learn American history is to read the words of those who lived it. That's why we maintain an extensive database of original documents.

This volume of primary documents on the causes of the Civil War presents the history of the American political order during its most tumultuous and challenging time. More than a century and a half after the crisis came to an end, Americans remain fascinated by it, as they should be.

When budget cuts eliminated her Constitutional Law class, teacher Jacki Pope Brothers thought her students' competitive dreams were over. Instead, what followed became an inspiration that captured national attention and redefined what's possible in education.

This upcoming school year, in honor of the next summer’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, teachers all over the United States will direct their students’ attention to the history behind these immortal words.  They’ll debate the Declaration’s purpose and audience, the intention and word choice of its author, and the extent to which the American republic has fulfilled the Declaration’s vision.  We want to help prepare teachers for this deep work by spending the fall focusing on the complicated legacy of the author of this groundbreaking document, Thomas Jefferson.