Library of Congress historian Marvin Kranz discusses Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address, pointing out that research has revealed that some of the phrases in the speech were suggested to Lincoln by others, while at the same time praising Lincoln's self-taught prose writing style.
Adapting Project HISTORY will serve seven districts in central New York State, where a 2010 needs assessment demonstrated that a large majority of secondary history teachers need professional development related to interacting with content experts, using new research-based teaching skills and strategies, developing primary sources, integrating new technology and examining local history resources. The project will combine historians' presentations, related technology integration sessions, and visits to these historic sites and museums: Oneida Community Mansion House, the Oneida County Historical Society, the Erie Canal Museum and Fort Stanwix. Each cadre of 25 secondary teachers will participate in 75 hours of seminars led by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; the professional development programs for the two cadres will be split into two consecutive 30-month periods. The seminars will follow the National Assessment of Educational Progress subject areas for U.S. history and focus on significant events, issues and turning points in American history. In addition to attending the seminars, the teachers will learn to align their content to state standards and analyze original American history documents. The project is adapted from Issues in American History, a professional development program established in 1976 to help teachers improve students' knowledge of American history and problem-solving skills. The project directors will develop a Web site that serves as a teaching, learning and research resource; the Web products will include teacher-prepared Webquests and PowerPoint presentations, which other teachers can access and replicate.
Julie Roy Jeffrey of Goucher College discusses the formation of abolitionist societies in the antebellum U.S., focusing particularly on the formation of such societies by women.
To view this clip, scroll to "The Formation of Anti-slavery Societies in the Antebellum North" under "African-American Experience Video."
Michael Johnson of the John Hopkins University discusses the lives and origins of free African Americans in the North prior to the Civil War, looking particularly at the Northern reaction to the Fugitive Slave Law.
To view this clip, scroll to "Free Blacks in the Antebellum North" under "African-American Experience Video."
Produced by Jeffrey Chown of the Northern Illinois University Department of Communication, this documentary chronicles the Black Hawk War of 1832, looking also at the events that led up to it and its repercussions. It focuses on the roles of Sauk war chief Black Hawk and a young Abraham Lincoln. The documentary is divided into 18 short downloadable videos.
To view this documentary, scroll to the set of 18 links separated from the main Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video selections, and choose a section to view.
Gerald Prokopowicz of the Lincoln Museum examines Lincoln's development of a political language balanced between formal oratory and direct speech.
To view this clip, scroll to "Lincoln's Political Rhetoric and the Growth of American Democracy" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Gerald Prokopowicz of the Lincoln Museum very briefly looks at Abraham Lincoln's association with the Whig party and his reasons for choosing it, as a believer in free labor.
To view this clip, scroll to "Lincoln the Whig" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Gerald Prokopowicz of the Lincoln Museum looks at Abraham Lincoln's remarks on women in politics, and considers the increasing presence of women in politics throughout the 19th century.
To view to this clip, scroll to "Abraham Lincoln, Women, and Politics" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Eric Foner of Columbia University discusses the use of the race and slavery issues by political parties during Abraham Lincoln's lifetime, and looks at Lincoln's own views on the issues as expressed in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
To view this clip, select "Abraham Lincoln and the Politics of Race" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Eric Foner of Columbia University discusses Abraham Lincoln's preference, pre-Civil War, for the establishment of African colonies as a solution to race tensions in the U.S.; and looks at his movement away from this solution during the Civil War.
To view this clip, select "Abraham Lincoln and the Problem of Race and Slavery" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."