Primary Source Digital Archives
The Library of Congress has a website linked with their Archives with a vast wealth of documents and information that can be used for this Unit. On the page featured here, they present a large variety of collections all organizing different aspect of American History. Some of these collections are grouped by subject, such as American Culture or Veterans' History. There are others that focus on what kind of information it is, such as Sound Recordings and Photographs.
In the National Archives the total efforts American Historical collections are here. There is a section that will direct anyone to the bulk of research material in their possession. Multiple sections similar are available, even one to request military records, but a more specific function is below. Recent News is always presented and refreshed, keeping the here and now just as relevant as the past.
At Massachusetts Historical Society they have assembled several works and documents of Thomas Jefferson. While President Jefferson's must famous document was the Declaration of Independence, but his work was not restrained to political philosophy. Along with many professional writings, this database offers Jefferson's books on farming, architecture, and catalogs that have been collected from his personal notes and journals.
Over at USC Libraries, they offer a great plethora of newspapers from all around the world are presented here and span over three centuries of written accounts. On the presented page, there are several collections of British newspapers as well as American. Plus, this digital library has collections arranged by subject, such as African American or Hispanic History, and even photo-journalism.
The Miller Center has a deep collection of Presidential Speeches. Everyone from President George Washington to President Barack Obama is included in this archive. They have organized the Presidents into eight different era block in American History, for easier access, and have a single file list of the Presidents from most recent to oldest. All of the American Presidents' speeches and addresses are listed on this site to read, and most of the more recent President will also have audio and video recordings of their speeches for people to view here.
In the National Archives the total efforts American Historical collections are here. There is a section that will direct anyone to the bulk of research material in their possession. Multiple sections similar are available, even one to request military records, but a more specific function is below. Recent News is always presented and refreshed, keeping the here and now just as relevant as the past.
At Massachusetts Historical Society they have assembled several works and documents of Thomas Jefferson. While President Jefferson's must famous document was the Declaration of Independence, but his work was not restrained to political philosophy. Along with many professional writings, this database offers Jefferson's books on farming, architecture, and catalogs that have been collected from his personal notes and journals.
Over at USC Libraries, they offer a great plethora of newspapers from all around the world are presented here and span over three centuries of written accounts. On the presented page, there are several collections of British newspapers as well as American. Plus, this digital library has collections arranged by subject, such as African American or Hispanic History, and even photo-journalism.
The Miller Center has a deep collection of Presidential Speeches. Everyone from President George Washington to President Barack Obama is included in this archive. They have organized the Presidents into eight different era block in American History, for easier access, and have a single file list of the Presidents from most recent to oldest. All of the American Presidents' speeches and addresses are listed on this site to read, and most of the more recent President will also have audio and video recordings of their speeches for people to view here.
Primary Source Analysis Tools
Lesson Plans - Using Primary Sources for Civics
Both of these Lesson Plans can be found on the Library of Congress's website, under teachers.