W. E. B. Du Bois Reflects on the Purpose of History
W. E. B. Du Bois questions the way that Reconstruction was studied and taught in an excerpt from his 1935 book Black Reconstruction in America.
![A portrait of W.E.B. Du Bois, head-and-shoulders, facing slightly right.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/3a53178u.jpg?h=87584735&itok=bgkKYE0Q)
Introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Examine the historical context leading up to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and understand how Eleanor Roosevelt became involved in the process.
![Eleanor Roosevelt and United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Lake Success, New York, November 1949.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/24427-2011-001_a.jpg?h=e15b44ae&itok=kmDSMzTQ)
Democracy and Community
Students brainstorm different definitions of democracy and consider democracy's relationship to their own communities and cultures.
Quotations on Democracy in South Africa (set 1)
Reflect on quotes from South Africans about how the country's history informs its democracy.
![Nelson Mandela standing outdoors during daytime surrounded by 4 other people.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/nelson_mandela_2000_library_london_school_economics_political_science_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=61d820be&itok=_5FNcPJY)
Quotations on Democracy in South Africa (set 2)
Consider quotes from South Africans about the nature of democracy and what makes it work.
![A voter places a ballot into a clear ballot box.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/election_rama_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=a1e1a043&itok=5Zm5zdcU)
The Republic of Imagination (excerpt)
Author Azar Nafisi discusses the roles of literature and imagination in both repressive states and democracies.
What Is Democracy?
Use this selection of quotes about democracy to prompt reflection on democracy's complex definition.
![English language newspaper from election day with an "I voted" sticker.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/media_democracy_newspaper_voting_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=424dc15a&itok=URCrHs-G)
What Is Democracy? (en español)
Use this selection of quotes about democracy to prompt reflection on democracy's complex definition.
![English language newspaper from election day with an "I voted" sticker.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/media_democracy_newspaper_voting_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=424dc15a&itok=URCrHs-G)