Professor Allen Guelzo examines Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, looking critically at its use of language and Lincoln's motivations in writing it.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the guest lecture following session nine, and select the RealAudio link to the left.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professor Steven E. Woodworth examines the "Lost Cause" view of the Civil War—as the South as justified in going to war. Woodworth also looks at the religious life and beliefs of Civil-War-era soldiers and civilians and how religion contributed to the war and the perspectives of those waging it. He refers to the film Gods and Generals and scholarly criticism of it.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the guest lecture after session four, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the text.
Professor Mackubin T. Owens looks at perceptions of Abraham Lincoln, both during his presidency and over the course of American history.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session one; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professor Lucas E. Morel details the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 campaign for an Illinois seat in the United States Senate. Morel looks at the discussion of slavery in these debates. This lecture continues from the lecture "Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Part One."
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session seven, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Schramm discusses Abraham Lincoln's use of language in his composition of speeches and written works.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, August seventh, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm session; and select the RealAudio link or image in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Lucas E. Morel examines the interrelationship of political decisions and pressures, westward expansion, and the issue of slavery in the antebellum U.S. and how these forces combined to lead to the Civil War. This lecture continues from the lecture "Slavery, Antebellum Politics, and Westward Expansion, Part One."
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session five, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Professor Lucas E. Morel examines the interrelationship of political decisions and pressures, westward expansion, and the issue of slavery in the antebellum U.S. and how these forces combined to lead to the Civil War.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session four, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Professor David Tucker examines the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, its perception throughout history, and its impact on the course of American history. Tucker particularly looks at the Emancipation Proclamation and what it reveals about Lincoln and his intentions as president.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session seven, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
This lecture chronicles Samuel Clemens's travels to Nevada and California from his home state of Mississippi, beginning in 1861. At this time, Clemens was an out-of-work river pilot; the lecture follows his development into the famous writer he would become and includes readings from fragments of his writing recovered from Civil-War-era journals and newspapers.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to "Heaven on the Half-Shell: Mark Twain in California," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
The Northeast branch of the National Archives provides access to historic documents from the states of New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, in addition to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Research can be conducted at two main locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City, as well as within a microfilm research area in Pittsfield, Massacusetts (Silvio O. Conte National Records Center, 10 Conte Drive).
The Boston-area archives holds documents from 1780 to present pertaining to the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. Records include, but are not limited to, census and naturalization records, Dawes Commission final cards of the Five Civilized Tribes, Chinese Exclusion cases, and passenger arrival lists.
Topics of emphasis within the collection include port commerce, desegregation, War of 1812, the Amistad case, naval stations, lighthouses, the Chinese Exclusion Act, MIT and Harvard World War II research projects, and arms manufacturing. With so much information at your fingertips, a pre-visit look through the available finding aids may be a wise time investment.
Interested in researching military records or conducting genealogical research? Access a listing of upcoming genealogical workshops. All workshops are free, but require advance registration.
Earn PD points by attending five free, monthly Thursday night programs for educators, or attend other in-service teaching with document programs. Access the calendar to plan which events to attend. Large groups can request that workshops be conducted at their own location.
In the Boston area? Plan a free, hands-on archival field trip for your class, be it kindergarten or high school. Programs are customizable, designed to meet state curriculum standards, and include a behind-the-scenes tour. Example programs address the 54th Mass. Colored Regiment, the Revolutionary War, Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson, the Constitution, and migration and immigration. Please schedule ahead. The site is handicap-accessible and contains a lunchroom.
The phone and fax numbers to the left are for the Boston/Waltham location.
The New York City location holds documents from 1695 through the 1990s pertaining to New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Online finding aids are an excellent way of determining whether or not the archives may have the type of documents which you desire.
The archives offers an extensive series of public programs, including tours conducted upon request, open houses, and workshops. Workshop topics can include census records, Chinese Americans, customs records, maritime history, Civil War prize cases, and more.
Attend free professional development workshops appropriate for teachers (including home school teachers) and administrators.
Consider ordering a free CD correlating the contents of Our Documents to New Jersey and New York educational standards.
You can also schedule K-12 field trips complete with hands-on research and tours of the archives' facility.
The Northeast archives hosts a collection of online exhibits, ranging in topic from the real life von Trapp family to the Slocum tragedy.
Finally, download packets consisting of documents, transcriptions, related questions and activities, and information on how the topic relates to the standards. Teachable Texts is upgraded regularly.