The Unfinished Revolution
Summary: In this lesson, students will explore echoes of the Reconstruction era policy and principles, and will reflect on the idea of democracy as a continuous process rather than a fixed achievement. Students will understand that the work of ensuring a democracy’s success is never complete and that individuals and communities must constantly choose to act to defend and strengthen it. Students will also recognize that progress toward justice and equality often experiences great leaps forward and disappointing steps backward. Finally, students will consider how they can best participate in the ongoing work of strengthening our democracy.
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: Have the concepts of liberty, justice and/or equality changed during the time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsDP.13.a: Analyze the effectiveness of national legislation, policies, and Supreme Court decisions in promoting civil liberties and equal opportunities (i.e., the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Equal Rights Amendment, Title VII, Title IX, Affirmative Action, Brown v. Board of Education, and Roe v. Wade).
Link to Lesson: The Unfinished Revolution | Facing History & Ourselves