American History

Using archival footage and photographs, this series documents the life, accomplishments, struggles and scandal of 9 of the U.S. Presidents.

Presidents included:
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
George Washington
John F Kennedy
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan
Theodore Roosevelt
Thomas Jefferson
William Jefferson Clinton.

AP U.S. History is the most taken AP* exam, with over 360,000 students taking the test in 2009. This video program fully prepares students with thorough explanations of the most pivotal events in U.S. history. 30 key topics are reviewed ranging from Articles of Confederation all the way through the Civil Rights Movement & Vietnam war.

This extensive series examines the historical documents that changed and shaped American history. Each 30-minute program examines an era of American history, including the political, social and economic factors that contributed to the creation of each document. This unique series enhances the study of American history through World War I.

Just the Facts: America's Explorers and Pioneers

Our early explorers paved the way for the development of America. They had the courage, the drive, the passion, to be the first and their discoveries proved to the world that America was a land of extraordinary resources and beauty.

This program is about those American explorers and pioneers who were the pathfinders; those who first explored the valleys, rivers and mountains of America, and those who were the first to make it their home. Men like Christopher Columbus, Sir Francis Drake, Henry Hudson, James Cook, Daniel Boone, Robert Gray, Lewis and Clark, Charles Wilkes, John Fremont and many more.

While outlining the exploration of our continent, this video also captures the great beauty and abundant natural resources of our great land. You’ll see expansive landscapes and breathtaking vistas, from the eastern landscapes and breathtaking vistas, from the eastern seaboard, where the pilgrims first set foot, to the dense forests of Shenandoah… from the great plains of the mid-west, to the soaring Rocky Mountains, and from the stark beauty of the southwestern desert to the magnificence of California coastline.

Our great explorers remain heroes and their stories are both thrilling and fascinating. The Just The Facts Learning Series brings these adventures to you in a fast-paced style that makes learning fun!

Quick . . . what’s the capital of Missouri? What state has Augusta as its capital?

After viewing Just the Facts: America’s State Capitals, those questions will be easy to answer. The interactive format of this DVD invites viewers to test their knowledge of our state capitals and makes watching (and learning!) fun for all ages.

The fast-paced program intertwines history and geography with points of interest and fascinating facts about the 50 capital cities. Viewers learn, for example, that Tallahassee was the only Southern capital that was not captured by the Union during the Civil War and that it also lays claim to Tarzan and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

The segment on Boston includes that famous Tea Party, a quick tour of the Freedom Trail, and a swan boat, among other interesting sights and facts.

Each state capital is unique, and viewers will enjoy learning about them all.

This program explores our history and culture during the early 20th century, when a wave of reforms changed our political system and attempted to remedy the social and economic inequities arising from industrialization and urbanization. Progressive President Theodore Roosevelt helped set the tone of the era by supporting regulation of industry, initiating government reforms, and promoting conservation of public lands. The Progressive Era altered the course of our history in many ways, including the strengthening of labor unions, political and election reforms, and imposition of the first federal income tax on Americans.

This fascinating program examines the important figures of this period, their motivations for exploring new lands, and their tragedies and successes.

These pioneers include Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal, who sponsored many voyages to Africa; Bartolomeu Dias, who discovered the southern cape of Africa; Christopher Columbus, who made four voyages to the Americas; Pedro Cabral, who claimed Brazil for Portugal; John Cabot, who set out to duplicate the journey of Columbus; Amerigo Vespucci, from whom America derives its name; Vasco da Gama, who opened a trade route to India; and Ferdinand Magellan, whose three-year journey took his ship and crew around the world, although he died without seeing the end of the journey.

"...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."
These words grace The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, which remain as true today as when it was conceived. It is critical for American citizens to understand their importance in defining our freedoms and the foundation of democracy. This captivating program explores the political forces that existed before 1776 and the socioeconomic realities that made it necessary to declare to the world our independence from Great Britain. Examine the body of knowledge that contributed to The Declaration of Independence, such as the Magna Carta of 1215.
Fresh meaning to this extraordinary document is presented and these questions are answered: Why is John Hancock's signature so prominent? Considering it was adopted on July 2nd, 1776, why do we celebrate our independence on the 4th of July? Who is generally credited as the principal author of The Declaration of Independence? Great American thinkers, political leaders and presidents have reflected on this document long after it was written. Noted educators and elected officials share their thoughts and insights on one of America's most important manuscripts.
The Just The Facts™ Learning Series explores United States history in a fast-paced style that makes learning fun!

It started in England and reached its peak in America. The Industrial Revolution is a period of history that began in the early 18th century and has carried through our modern times.
Why it started in England is a fascinating question. It is one of many this informative video addresses. It is in Central England, even more specifically; and the textile industry which gives this period its start. It was an age when society went from traditional to modern, form agrarian to mechanized, from rural to urban, from simple to complex. Charles Dickens’ summed it up: "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."

No period of history can boast of greater beauty than The Renaissance. This was the period, from approximately early 14th century to late 16th century, that gave us Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Shakespeare.

No official document begins more memorably than the opening words of the Preamble of The Constitution of the United States of America. This dynamic, enduring document is the supreme law of the land. It is designed to enhance the value and dignity of the individual and make certain the individual is never a servant to the state.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America...
That preface begins the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to The Constitution of the United States.
When the Constitution was written, certain framers, powerful political leaders of their day, like Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry, insisted on adding basic legal protections to ensure individual rights. As a consequence the first ten amendments were added to clarify the rights of the citizens of the United States of America

This 5 DVD series includes:

Teaching Systems U.S. History: America at War
Teaching Systems U.S. History: Economic Changes
Teaching Systems U.S. History: Presidential Adminstrations (1789-1869)
Teaching Systems U.S. History: Women's Movement
Teaching Systems U.S. History: Civil Reforms

Grade Level: 6+. Triggered by early 20th-century economic policies and the 1929 stock market crash, the Great Depression was a time of chronic unemployment, severe drought and widespread migration. Students learn how FDR's New Deal and the onset of World War II ultimately ended the Depression and redefined the American economy. Written to National History Standards.