skip to main content

Primary Source Essentials: Federalist 78

2 minutes 21 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

The video "Primary Source Essentials: Federalist 78" explores the significance of Federalist 78 authored by Alexander Hamilton, a pivotal document that expounds on the judiciary's role within the American constitutional framework. The episode elucidates how Federalist 78 addresses the judiciary's independence through life appointments for judges based on good behavior, ensuring impartiality and mitigating political pressures from other governmental branches. Furthermore, the video delves into the concept of judicial review, a mechanism that allows the judiciary to void laws conflicting with the Constitution, reinforcing checks and balances within the federal system. This educational content is crucial for school-aged children to grasp the foundational principles of the U.S. Constitution and government structure, promoting an understanding of historical documents that shape modern democracy.

Media Details

Runtime: 2 minutes 21 seconds

Still image from: 54 Days: America and the Pandemic
51 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 10
Digital collage. Superimposed heads of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson on the bodies of 2 men with arms around each other. Text overlay reads, "B, F, Fs 4 eva." Caption. His best friend was Thomas Jefferson.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 2
1 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Digital collage with James Monroe wrapped in an American flag and a number 1 foam hand that reads, "U, S, A." Black and white image of crowd waving American flags in background. Caption. His presidency was called the Era of Good Feelings.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 4
1 minutes 14 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Digital collage. John Adams' head superimposed on Christmas elf's body standing in front of Massachusetts State House. Speech bubble reads, "Go Sawks!" Caption. Female as narrator. John Adams was a grumpy, frumpy principled lawyer from Boston.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 5
1 minutes 12 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Painting of Thomas Jefferson with an exaggerated head. He stands in a room filled with men, some surrounding a table with books and papers. Speech bubble reads, "Take that King George!" Caption. Tom took the lead on the Declaration of Independence.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 6
1 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
ASL
Dark frame shows a shadowy figure standing indoors. Text at the bottom of the frame reads, "Reenactment."
54 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Black and white portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Caption. Among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
13 minutes 48 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Closeup of weathered Constitution on parchment with handwritten script that reads, "We the people," in large script at top.
A History of Civil Rights in America
Episode 1
29 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Black and white photo of Abraham Lincoln wearing a top hat and flanked by men in uniform. Large tent and trees in background.
A History of Civil Rights in America
Episode 2
26 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Mottled black and white photo of 3 Native Americans with white tipis in background.
A History of Civil Rights in America
Episode 3
28 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Apply for a Free Membership

Major funding provided by the Department of Education