We’re celebrating America’s semiquincentennial with an expanded edition featuring some of the most significant texts in the history of American democracy—now with a Leader’s Guide to bring discussion to the classroom.
This collection brings together 16 texts reflecting on significant moments in the history of American democracy, in a format intended to invite discussion of their meaning and continuing significance.
- Anthology selections are paired with thoughtfully crafted note-taking prompts and discussion questions to provoke careful reading and engaged inquiry.
- The companion Leader’s Guide provides educators with a clear sequence of activities to guide students through reading, discussion, and engagement with the ideas at the heart of American public life.
Beginning 250 years ago with the Declaration of Independence, readers explore ideological perspectives from America’s founding. These perspectives reverberate through the remaining selections, which trace the ideals and values of American democracy across generations as they are invoked, tested, and reinterpreted in light of a changing world.
By John Trumbull—US Capitol, Public Domain
By John Trumbull—US Capitol, Public Domain
The Will of the People
250th Anniversary Edition
Table of Contents
- Declaration of Independence
- The Federalist No. 10 James Madison (November 22, 1787)
- The Federalist No. 51 Alexander Hamilton or James Madison (February 6, 1788)
- The Federalist No. 78 Alexander Hamilton (May 28, 1788)
- Constitution of the United States of America (1787—written; 1788—ratified)
- Farewell Address, George Washington (September 19, 1796)
- Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, Seneca Falls Convention (July 19–20, 1848)
- Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln (January 1, 1863)
- Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln (November 19, 1863)
- Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln (March 4, 1865)
- Address to the First Annual Meeting of the American Equal Rights Association, Sojourner Truth (May 9, 1867)
- The United States of America v. Susan B. Anthony (June 17–18, 1873)
- The New Colossus, Emma Lazarus (1883)
- First Inaugural Address, Franklin D. Roosevelt (March 4, 1933)
- Brown v. Board of Education, Supreme Court of the United States (May 17, 1954)
- Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. (April 16, 1963)
Expanded Materials for Educators
- Overview of the Shared Inquiry™ method, including tips and guidelines on leading successful discussions
- Shared Inquiry sequence of activities, including:
- First Reading
- Second Reading with note-taking prompts to focus attention on selected themes
- Shared Inquiry discussion questions
- Extended response options
- Learning objectives and key Shared Inquiry concepts
- A guide on question types
- Additional resources