Congress for Kids Print this Page
  Search


Citizenship Quizzes Independence Constitution Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch Elections 		 
  Independence

Introduction Democracy Democracy vs. Autocracy The Original Thirteen Colonies The Declaration of Independence, Part I The Declaration of Independence, Part II The Articles of Confederation

  

Join Our Mailing List!

Receive information about any changes to Congress for Kids and the other seven sites in The Dirksen Center's Web suite!


Books & Reading

Books & Reading

What is democracy?

Where did the idea of democracy come from?

How did democracy spread in the 20th century?

What is the difference between a democracy and a republic?

Credit: National First Ladies' Library


Democracy Kids
 

Democracy Democracy vs.Autocracy The Original Thirteen Colonies The Declaration of Independence, Part I The Declaration of Independence, Part II The Articles of Confederation

 
Democracy

By the People, For the People
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2003/06/23/by-the-people-for-the-people/?scp=9&sq=By%20the%20People,%20For%20the%20People&st=cse
Lesson plan - Define what you consider to be key elements of democracy, particularly relating those elements to the cancellation of Iraq's first general election for mayor and related issues of censorship. You will participate in a round-table discussion and then develop collages that reflect general themes arising from the discussion.

Changing of the Guard
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2003/04/28/changing-of-the-guard/?scp=1&sq=Changing%20of%20the%20Guard%20lesson%20plan&st=cse
Lesson plan - Research case studies of U.S.-led regime changes around the world and examine the possible future democratization of Iraq through the historical lens of past experience.

Comparative Democracy
http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/langacad/compdemo/
 Explore and compare the elements of democracy in the USA and in other countries. Create a presentation to aid revolutionaries in their quest for democracy.

Formation of Government
http://regentsprep.org/Regents/core/questions/
question.cfm?Course=USHG&TopicCode=2b&QNum=1&Wrong=0
80 interactive multiple-choice questions.

Look Who's Footing the Bill
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/democracy/debtquest.html
WebQuest - An introductory webquest on democracy and the national debt.

A More Perfect Union: An Exploration of American Democracy
http://library.thinkquest.org/26466/
This site was developed by teens in Arkansas and Kentucky.  An entry in the 1999 ThinkQuest Internet Challenge, the site looks at some of the basic elements of democracy, potential problems democracy faces, solutions from multiple viewpoints, and various sociologists’ views on government. 

PBS Democracy Project
http://www.pbs.org/democracy/kids/
How does the government affect you?

People and Government - Crossword puzzle
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/socialstudies/tutor/govciv/usgov2002/
puzzles/usg2002_01.html
Interactive Tour

So You Think You Can Teach? Democracy in America
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/democracy/
 Lesson Plan - Designed to increase awareness of citizen participation elements of democracy.

Return to Tour

Rate this Site


The United States is not a democracy? The United States is a Republic - a democratic republic. Its citizens elect representatives (the Congress). The founding fathers warned of the problems of democracy and the tyranny of the majority in many early writings. You will find no mention of democracy in the US Constitution.

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

Research one of the following topics: Transportation, Hospital, School, Police Department, Fire Department, Media, Library, Housing, Court House, The Capitol.

Prepare a PowerPoint slide or poster which answers the following questions about your topic:

Which level(s) of government is responsible for this aspect of our community life?

How does governmental action affect me and my family?

 

Awards

 

The Dirksen Congressional CenterCopyright 2008