Civics

Thematic Thread Across U.S. History - Article

Individual Rights and National Security

Summary: This series of lessons from the 1790s to today demonstrate the continuing conflict between the need to protect national security and to maintain the Constitutional protections of individual rights–both first amendment speech and press rights and fourth amendment privacy rights.

  • A debate about the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which were enacted to prevent criticism of the Federalist government and were quickly repealed with the opposing party when it won the election of 1800. From the National Constitution Center,
  • A lesson about the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 from the Digital Inquiry Group
  • A lesson about our efforts to combat terrorism after 9/11 and its impact on individual rights by the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Students also collaboratively examine primary and secondary resources and conclude with an assessment of their personal views through two Take a Stand/Continuum activities.
  • A mini moot court activity will be added based on a hypothetical from the cases of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange.

Overarching Questions:

  • CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
  • CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?

NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:

  • 6.1.12.CivicsDP.7.a: Evaluate the impact of government policies designed to promote patriotism and to protect national security during times of war on individual rights (i.e., the Espionage Act and the Sedition Amendment).
  • 6.1.12.CivicsPI.14.c: Analyze how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution to define and expand individual rights and use evidence to document the long-term impact of these decisions on the protection of civil and human rights.
  • 6.1.12.HistoryUP.14.a: Determine how the 9/11 attacks contributed to the debate over national security and civil liberties.
  • 6.1.12.HistorySE.15.b: Analyze the reasons for terrorism and the impact that terrorism has had on individuals and government policies and assess the effectiveness of actions taken by the United States and other nations to prevent terrorism.
  • 6.3.12.HistoryCA.1: Analyze the impact of current governmental practices and laws affecting national security and/or First Amendment rights and privacy.

Links for Lessons: