American Civics

Summary:

The American republic rests upon the foundation of “E Pluribus Unum” — out of many, one. Although the Founders knew from their own experience that a vast diversity in outlooks and opinions would be present among the country’s citizens, they understood that such diversity must rest upon principles and practices we hold in common. It is up to each generation to make sure that this foundational unity remains intact. This project on American Civics seeks to contribute to that worthy cause.

These pages will bring together, into one place, the clearest, most accessible materials on the American experiment. Visitors will gain insight into topics ranging from the “self-evident” truths described in the Declaration of Independence and the framework that the Constitution set in place to prevent tyranny and secure rights and liberties to the virtues citizens must possess in order to enjoy freedom and self-government. Nor will we shy away from exploring the greatest injustices in U.S. history, including slavery and racial discrimination. Present at the Founding, they were departures from the nation’s founding principles. Neither this paradox, nor these injustices define America, however. Rather, it is on the basis of those principles that they are rightly condemned—and ultimately addressed.  

Users will also find the 1776 Series: a collection of accessible essays written by scholars that explore how the American Founders understood themselves and the system of government they implemented. These essays will give readers a clear and concise understanding of important American themes, such as the republican nature of the U.S. Constitution and Abraham Lincoln’s deep appreciation of the moral foundations of American self-government. These pages will also curate modern thinking on topics such as balancing the desire for security with the innate American impulse for individual freedom; the challenge of preserving judicial independence in a polarized political environment; how to simultaneously foster intellectual curiosity and tolerance among a generation ready to take democracy’s baton and run with it.

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Essential Reading

  • Madison's Consistency on the Bill of Rights
    Michael Zuckert, National Affairs
    Polls of the American people regularly show that the most valued and admired part of the Constitution is the Bill of Rights. Given that...
  • The Good News About Race in America
    Wilfred C. Reilly, Commentary
    The world is imperfect, human beings are imperfect, and racial prejudice is still a feature of American life in 2021. These are hard...
  • Seven Steps to Combat CRT in the Classroom
    Jonathan Butcher & Lindsey Burke, Heritage Foundation
    State policymakers and local school board members have a role to play in making sure that public schools teach content that...
  • The 1776 Commission Report
    Larry Arnn, Matt Spalding, et al., The President's Advisory 1776 Commission
    In the course of human events there have always been those who deny or reject human freedom, but Americans will never falter...
  • U.S. Constitution
    Our newest theme portal explores the oldest governing document still in operation: the U.S. Constitution. From the debates...
  • Civics Resources for Students
    Our student resources portal offers opportunities for elementary school, middle school, and high school to increase their...
  • Engaging The 1619 Project
    Last summer, the New York Times Magazine launched The 1619 Project on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first...
  • Race & Slavery
    American slavery was a blight upon the nation dedicated to the principle that “all men are created equal.” Chattel slavery...
  • Liberty
    Liberty is essential to the very fabric of America. People of other nations look to America as a beacon of liberty and hope, as an example...
  • Equality
    What's the meaning of the Declaration of Independence's most famous principle, that "all men are created equal”...
  • The 1776 Series
    The 1776 Series is a collection of original essays that explain the foundational themes of the American experience. Commissioned from...
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In the News

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Carl Cannon's Great American Stories

Archive

Multimedia

Podcast: We Are All Americans
Podcast: We Are All Americans
Chris Flannery, The American Story
Why Are There Nine? Important Supreme Court History in the Classroom
Why Are There Nine? Important Supreme Court History in the Classroom
Rachel Davison Humphries, Bill of Rights Institute
How We Can Desegregate Poverty
How We Can Desegregate Poverty
Clarence Page, J.D. Vance, & Bob Woodson, Woodson Center
Election Reform and HR 1
Election Reform and HR 1
J. Christian Adams & Rick Esenberg, Bradley Foundation
Rescuing Education From The 1619 Project
Rescuing Education From The 1619 Project
William A. Jacobson, Lucas Morel, et al., Legal Insurrection
Bringing History to the Next Generation
Bringing History to the Next Generation
Argosy Film Group
Podcast: The First White House Guidebook
Podcast: The First White House Guidebook
Ranee Braden & Stuart McLaurin, 1600 Sessions
American Awakening
American Awakening
Joshua Mitchell, Patrick Henry College
Executive Power Under the US Constitution
Executive Power Under the US Constitution
Michael McConnell & Mike Lee, Hoover Institution
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