Social Studies teachers: A few weeks ago we posted six new Vocabulary Lists based on primary source documents and speeches; now we're adding even more. See below for new Lists, or check out the Speeches and Historical Documents sections of our Vocabulary Lists page for the full roster.
Dwight D. Eisenhower "Military Industrial Complex" (1961) 65 words
As he prepared to leave the office of President in 1961 Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a farewell speech in which he warned Americans about the growing influence of what he called the "military industrial complex." Ironically, Eisenhower, the former World War II general and D-Day Commander, feared the growing power of corporations that had grown to supply the United States with military equipment and weapons.
Ronald Reagan "Tear Down This Wall" (1987) 57 words
In June 1987 President Ronald Reagan traveled to Berlin where he visited the Brandenburg Gate. At this symbolic point along the Berlin Wall, Reagan gave his most famous speech in which he urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "Tear Down this Wall!"
Patrick Henry, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" 63 words
On March 23, 1775 Virginian patriots met at St. John’s Church in Richmond to discuss support for fellow colonists in Massachusetts where Parliament had sent four regiments of troops. Leading the call for Virginian’s to act was Patrick Henry. In proposing that Virginia prepare itself to fight he delivered an emotional speech ending with his immortal words, “Give me liberty or give me death!”
George Washington's Farewell Address (1796) 110 words
After serving two terms as President of the United States, George Washington decided in 1796 that he would not seek a third term. In his speech, the father of his country explained why it was time for him to retire and gave advice to the nation.
James Madison: Federalist #10 (1787) 84 words
Following the Constitutional Convention in 1787, James Madison along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, published a series of essays supporting the new Constitution. Together these essays are called "The Federalist Papers." Federalist #10 by Madison is considered one of the most important political documents in U.S. History. Madison discusses political factions, which in today's language might be called political parties. The essay was first published in newspapers under the pen name "Publius."
Richard Nixon's "Checkers Speech" (1952) 38 words
In September 1952 Richard Nixon, a young senator from California, was nominated to run for vice president. Days later, however he was accused of accepting money from a “Secret Rich Men’s Trust Fund.” Nixon chose to use the new medium of television to defend himself. In the speech he stated that one gift he did receive was a small dog named “Checkers.” His two young daughters loved the dog and would not give it up. The speech was a tremendous success. Nixon served two terms as vice president. Ironically another television performance, a debate with John Kennedy in 1960, cost him the election that year. Another scandal known as “Watergate” led Nixon to resign from the presidency in 1974.
Supreme Court healthcare ruling (2012) 24 words
Vocabulary from the Plain English summary of the Supreme Court's ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act: The Affordable Care Act, including its individual mandate that virtually all Americans buy health insurance, is constitutional. There were not five votes to uphold it on the ground that Congress could use its power to regulate commerce between the states to require everyone to buy health insurance. However, five Justices agreed that the penalty that someone must pay if he refuses to buy insurance is a kind of tax that Congress can impose using its taxing power. That is all that matters. Because the mandate survives, the Court did not need to decide what other parts of the statute were constitutional, except for a provision that required states to comply with new eligibility requirements for Medicaid or risk losing their funding.