Once every four years, a U.S. President is inaugurated. This video gives a succinct summary of the significance of this ritualised event. The video was prepared before Barack Obama’s second inaugural ceremony in 2013, but it gives a good overview of the Inauguration as a U.S. political institution. The second minute, where a historian wonders … Continue reading “Presidential Inaugurations: Video”
On Friday, 20 January, Donald Trump will become the 45th President of the United States at his Inauguration in Washington D.C. What does the Inauguration involve, who participates, and what does it cost? The first Inauguration was George Washington’s in New York in 1789. The newly independent United States hadn’t built its new federal capital … Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know About: U.S. Presidential Inaugurations”
Television adverts, as opposed to the the carefully regulated “party political broadcasts” more common in Europe, are an intriguing aspect of American politics. And they are a fabulous teaching tool, giving an insight into American culture, and perfect for educating your pupils about the media. Pupils should pick up details that repeat from one ad … Continue reading “U.S. Election Adverts”
How much does it cost to fund a presidential election campaign, and how do the candidates raise the money? We look at the thorny issue of election finance. There is a long history of politics and money. Back in 1757, “founding father” George Washington won an election to the Virginia State parliament after throwing a … Continue reading “Election Money Machine”
