A Founding Father of the United States, Thomas Jefferson once wrote that a free press is important to a functioning democracy. In other words, without critical and reliable press, a society and government cannot be held to account. This engaging title takes a probing look at what press freedom and censorship means, as well as where people find information, who owns and controls the press in a “free world,” and what makes good, reliable journalism.
In this age of fast-paced social media, news and views are shared throughout the world in seconds. This timely title critically examines the elements of journalism, truth and perspective, sources of news, as well as bias and objectivity to help readers make informed choices about the accuracy of news and information. Readers will gain an understanding of what journalism is and how the medium can shape the message being presented.
This timely title discusses the creation of the atom bomb and the post-World War II nuclear arms race that shaped the consciousness of generations. Primary and secondary source materials such as contemporary photos, speeches, letters, and newspaper accounts are examined, offering readers insight into a world reeling from years of conflict, and the competing political and social ideologies of the former Soviet Union and the United States and its allies. Topics covered include the Manhattan Project, the dropping of the first atomic bombs, and the escalation of the arms race, as well as nuclear treaties and the relevance to today’s nuclear threats.
Politically and socially, the decade from 1947 to 1956 marked an era of repression and fear. McCarthyism was a practice named for the blustery U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. Known for his reckless and unsubstantiated accusations, he led a campaign to root out real and imagined “subversives” in American society. Packed with enlightening primary and secondary source material, McCarthyism and the Red Scare examines topical issues to help readers think critically about such concepts as freedom, Constitutional rights, blacklisting, and personal and state ideology.
Government is a word we hear all the time but what does it really mean? That is the central theme of this impressively illustrated book as it helps peel away the confusion young readers may have about something that plays a vital role in all of our lives.
The book provides an engaging introduction on how Canadas parliamentary system of government works. The distinctions between head of state and head of government are explained, while introducing readers to the roles of the monarch, the governor general, the prime minister, and the opposition parties. Parliamentary models of government at the provincial level, as well as in other countries, are also included.
Political maps are often the first kind of maps children learn about. These maps identify the boundaries of countries, states or provinces, and cities, as well as such physical features as lakes and oceans. Detailed, up-to-date maps and clearly written text help readers understand how to use political maps to solve problems.
Imprisoned for 27 years, Nelson Mandela became a symbol in the fight against the oppression of the black majority by South Africa's apartheid government. The first in his family to attend school, Mandela was given the English name Nelson by his teacher on his first day. As Mandela moved up the educational ladder, he became more and more involved in social justice. When he became a lawyer, he joined the African National Congress (ANC), an organization whose purpose was to increase the rights of black South Africans. In 1961, Mandela helped found a military branch of the ANC that used guerrilla attacks against the government. His imprisonment became a rallying point for black South Africansand eventually the world. International pressure against the government helped bring about the end of apartheid and Mandela's release in 1990. Mandela was elected president, serving from 1994 to 1999, and remains a figure revered and loved by his grateful nation.
Police officers are the protective barrier standing between the public on one side and lawlessness on the other - the so-called "thin blue line." A high-stress job, officers face daily interactions in stressful situations where the element of risk is always lurking. An officer's main duty is to maintain law and order within a community, which means they are regularly face to face with citizens and out patrolling the streets. This book looks at the duties of police officers in crime prevention, the apprehension of offenders, and emergency situations.
This title provides a factual and in-depth look at one of the bloodiest battles in American history. Features include a day-by-day breakdown of events, profiles of major figures, and a detailed review of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, one of the most important speeches in American history.
To be a spy in today's high-tech world, you've got to specialize whether you're keeping tabs on foreign governments, fighting terrorist organizations, or stopping cyber espionage. This fascinating book describes spying throughout history, the gadgetry of a spy, and what kind of training is required to join intelligence-gathering agencies around the world.
This title takes us behind the scenes into president Abraham Lincoln's decision to end slavery 150 years ago.
As the 50th anniversary of the 1963 march for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C. approaches, this timely book looks at its organization, the key players, and why it is still relevant today.
Spend a day with police officer Jenn Gellel. Jenn starts her day at home with her husband, Brad, and their dog, Zeke. Follow her to work at the police station, on patrol in a police car, and peforming jobs such as directing traffic. By following Jenns daily activities, students will learn how police officers help people and keep them safe.
June 14 commemorates the adoption of the United States flag in 1777, one year after federation. The day was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and is recognized through much of the United States as a state holiday. Massachusetts still celebrates with a large parade. Readers will learn the history of the adoption of the United States flag and the Army Birthday, also celebrated on this day.
Election Day is an important day when citizens choose a leader. But not every country has elections. Young readers will learn about democracy and its history, how a polling station works, and how votes are counted on election day.
On September 17, 1787, a handful of Americans signed a historic document that helped organize a structured government for the United States and recognized the rights of its citizens. This national holiday celebrates the most important document in the history of the United Statesits Constitution. This exciting book will educate children on a crucial turning point in American history.
Firefighters are important community workers. These busy men and women are called upon to put out fires and rescue people and animals. They are the heroes of today's world! Children will be thrilled to learn about the equipment firefighters use, putting on a firefighter uniform, fire safety in their homes and communities, the different rooms in a fire station, and the firefighter heroes of 9/11.
Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, doctors, and nurses are just a few of the community workers that help people in emergencies. Children will be amazed by these brave individuals many of whom risk their lives daily to save the lives of others. Children will learn about military services, the Red Cross, the coast guard, equipment used by emergency workers, and how to be prepared in an emergency.
With malice toward none; and charity for all. Those were the words of reconciliation that Abraham Lincoln preached as he tried to reunite a nation at the end of the American Civil War. However, a group of Republicans, Radical Republicans as they were called, had anything but reconciliation on their minds. After Lincoln died, they tried to punish the South for rebelling against the Union. Radical Republicans is a graphic history that explains the high and low points after the war.
This is a volume designed to inform children what taxes are and why they are needed. Emphasis is placed on how taxes provide the funds needed to keep governments running, from local to federal levels. Young readers will understand how taxes are used to dissuade people from buying some items, such as cigarettes and gas-guzzling vehicles. Attractive color images help de-mystify this fascinating and important aspect of government.
This fascinating title sets the world scene in the years before the start of World War I. Readers will get a snapshot of the political and social climates of the five great European powers: Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Rapid industrial development and a movement toward solving differences through military action led countries to create alliances between them. The feeling in Europe was that war was inevitable, and Germany was the first to make the move. Find out how an assassination set off a chain of declarations of war, and how Germany put their war machine into motion with the Schlieffen Plana strategy that called for the invasion of neutral countries.
Abraham Lincoln. Robert E. Lee. Ulysses S. Grant. William Tecumseh Sherman. Jefferson Davis. Stonewall Jackson. These larger than life figures tower in history and their decisions and actions influenced the progress and outcome of the Civil War. This volume gives background on the politicians, generals, naval and militia commanders, and other prominent people who were involved in the Civil War, including African American leaders and women.
The Civil War was the costliest conflict in United States history, claiming more than 600,000 lives. It was also a transformative event that freed nearly 4 million slaves and changed the nation. This volume examines the aftermath of the Civil War, including the assassination of Lincoln, amnesty, constitutional amendments, Reconstruction, Compromise, Disenfranchisement, and the lasting legacy for all Americans.
This comprehensive title explores the outcomes of the American Revolution, including how the independent states formed governments based on the very principles for which they had fought. The book also examines the legacy of the American Revolution and how it influenced others against oppressive power or colonial systems in France, Latin America, and Asia.
