The collapse of the Soviet State in 1991 was followed by Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev's declaration of the Chechen Republic's independence from Moscow. Concerned over the loss of its territorial integrity, Russian troops invaded the breakaway republic and a civil war ensued. In l996, Chechen rebels regained control of the capital, Grozny, from Russian forces, almost destroying the city in the process. Fighting in Chechnya continues to this day, although on a relatively smaller scale. The WIDE ANGLE video 'Greetings From Grozny' (2002) examines the conflict from the perspectives of Russian soldiers, Chechen separatist militants, radical Chechen Islamists, and civilians living in Grozny.In this lesson, students will explore the multiple perspectives surrounding the conflict, examine the conflict's regional and international implications, and understand the mindsets of Chechens who have managed to maintain their identity and self-esteem in the face of untold human suffering. This lesson can be used during or after a lesson on the breakup of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Russian Federation (1991- present). A basic knowledge of post- Soviet history and basic geographical facts of Eurasia are required for the successful completion of the lesson.

This site shows the typewritten draft of the December 8, 1941, speech in which Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. The draft shows Roosevelt's hand-written edits, including his change of the phrase a date which will live in world history to a date which will live in infamy. Students can also listen to the beginning of the speech.

The Middle East conflict and terrorism are issues we hear about almost daily in the news. This lesson will use video clips from WIDE ANGLE's 'Suicide Bombers' (2004), Internet sites, and primary sources to examine the roots of the Middle East conflict. The video contains interviews with young Palestinians who participated -- or intended to participate -- in suicide bombings. These young Palestinians share the personal, religious, political and emotional reasons behind their participation in these suicide operations. This lesson could be used to review information about the three major monotheistic religions and their connections to Israel, to relate post-World War II policies to the current political state of the Middle East, and/or to get students to understand the roots of the terrorism that threatens the world we live in.

Dr. Dadashev, a professor of physics on the shattered campus of Grozny University, conducts a tour of the war-torn campus in this video segment from Wide Angle.

In this video from Wide Angle, learn about Chechen rebels who have turned to guerrilla warfare in order to combat Russian military forces.

This Wide Angle video features Majdi Amer, a 25-year-old Palestinian, who describes the daily state of violence and conflict in Israel and the occupied territories.

This lesson uses primary sources - diaries, letters, and photographs - to explore the experiences of women in the Civil War. By looking at a series of document galleries, the perspectives of slave women, plantation mistresses, female spies, and Union women emerge. Ultimately, students will understand the human consequences of this war for women.

This lesson provides background information and lessons (correlated to academic standards) that incorporate the use of textbooks, maps, and discussions based on primary documents such as the U.S. Constitution. In this lesson students will examine the declaration of war with Mexico and the protests of those who opposed this act. They will also explore protesters of conscience against wars other than the Mexican War.

In this video from Wide Angle, 18-year-old Mohanned Abu Tayyoun discusses the reasons behind his decision to conduct a martyr operation.

How does war, with today's technology, differ from the wars in the past where soldiers fought another face-to-face?

In this Wide Angle video segment, meet 16-year-old Rajap, a Chechen refugee who attempts to continue his education while living in a tent city.

In this video from Wide Angle, visit the Pankisi Valley, a no-man's-land in the Northeast of Georgia that has become home to the rebels and refugees of the Chechen war.

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Steven Pifer discusses the United States' stance toward the Russian/Chechen conflict in this video from Wide Angle.

This course for facilitators is designed to contribute toward the reconstruction of education systems through the promotion and establishment of safe, secure and supportive learning environments where quality education is widely accessible to all learners including the broader community.

Land mines are silent, secret weapons. They have been placed in over 60 countries around the world. In this web site, you can learn about these dangerous weapons and how you can help make the world safe from land mines.

Mohanned Abu Tayyoun describes the events that occurred on the day of his intended suicide bombing in this video segment from Wide Angle.

Based on UNICEF's annual flagship publication, The State of the World's Children report (SOWC), the U.S. Fund for UNICEF has developed and released these free resources for educators to use with students in grades 3-12. The lesson plans and resources in these units are designed to be used sequentially or separately. Topics include addressing global affairs issues such as the Millennium Development Goals, real life stories from youth, the causes of childhood exclusion, and water and sanitation.

President Lyndon B. Johnson and his key foreign policy advisers made a momentous decision during the first half of 1965, weighing whether to commit large numbers of U.S. ground forces to a war then being fought on the other side of the world in Vietnam. Ultimately, in late July, the President opted to expand dramatically the U.S. commitment. That fateful decision--the closest thing to a formal decision for war in Vietnam--launched the United States on a costly, divisive, and unsuccessful war that lasted for 8 more years. The decision to intervene in Vietnam was not a foregone conclusion, however, and several of Johnson's advisers proposed alternate courses of action. Choose from several teaching activities related to the Vietnam conflict. These activities correlate to National History Standards and National Standards for Civics and Government.