50 Core American Documents Required Reading for Students, Teachers and Citizens

The Ashbrook Center's 50 Core American Documents is meant to introducereaders to America's story as it has unfolded from the American Foundinginto the Twentieth Century. Many of the documents emphasize America'suniqueness and contributions to the world, but they also present differentviews on some of the major issues and disputes in American history and government,especially on the meaning of liberty, the injustice of slavery, and thedemands of progress. Taken as such, the documents reveal a kind of politicaldialogue to readers, an ongoing and profoundly consequential conversationabout how Americans have agreed and often disagreed on the meaning offreedom and self-government. 50 Core American Documents invites teachersand citizens alike to join in this American political dialogue.-The Ashbrook Center restores and strengthens the capacities of the Americanpeople for constitutional self-government. The Center teaches students andteachers across our country why America is exceptional and what Americarepresents in the long history of the world. Ashbrook is the nation's largestuniversity-based educator in the enduring principles and practice of free governmentin the United States, offering programs and resources for students,teachers, and citizens.