Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Preparing for the Oath: Responsibilities"

Vote: The Machinery of Democracy Homepage

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:09:00 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will explore the history of voting methods in the United States, study how ballots and voting systems have evolved over the years as a response to political, social, and technological change, transforming the ways in which Americans vote. The exhibit includes sections on paper ballots, reform, the gear & lever voting machine, Florida 2000, and present and future ballots.

The Voting Machine and Election Reform

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:05:55 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around an 1898 Standard Voting Machine, the fight against voting fraud and the extension of voting rights in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students will learn how voting technology was used to democratize the voting process in the United States. After exploring the Voting Machine and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear NMAH curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete the Virtual Exhibit Activity.

This resource is included in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

The Presidential Campaign Trail

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:53:48 GMT

Presidential campaigns, inaugurations and the expansion of voting rights are the topics covered in this section of the online exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. Campaign items and posters will help students learn about methods and strategies that have been used by candidates to win election. They will also see how inaugurations have become public holidays when Americans celebrate their democratic customs. Finally, they will explore how minorities, women, the poor, and young adults fought to obtain the right to vote.

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:06:40 GMT

Americans have gone to war to win their independence, expand their national boundaries, define their freedoms, and defend their interests around the globe. This online exhibition examines how wars have shaped the nations' history and transformed American society. Students will learn about American military history through the use of an interactive timeline, brief movies, and objects from the museum's vast collections. Also included are a collection search, an interactive game, and learning resources.

Preparing for the Oath: Rights

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:45:23 GMT

Learn more about the rights of Americans through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The nine questions included in this segment cover topics such as freedoms in the Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and rights to participate in government.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.