Free Civics Studies Lesson 8: The State & Defense Departments

Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, and the departments devoted to the business of the State and Defense.

Read the current chapter online: “The State, War, and Navy Departments.”

Suggestions

Mark the following on a map of Maryland (see resources below):
- Mount Vernon.
- The Potomac.
- The Chesapeake.
View a photo of The Old Tomb where Washington was first laid to rest.
Also view a photo of The New Tomb built in 1831.
Does it surprise you that George Washington had slaves? Why or why not?
Learn more about Edmond Parker, the tomb guard mentioned in the text (scroll to bottom).
Learn more about Washington’s views on slavery and how they changed over time.
Define the words the author uses in association with Washington:
- Patriotism.
- Virtue.
- Integrity.
- Nobility of soul.
Learn more about Washington’s Mount Vernon bedroom and his death there.
Study the Bastille Key given to Washington by Lafayette.
Learn more about Nellie Custis (and her harpsichord).
Examine the cupola, sans wasps….
Explore deer park.
Learn more about Washington’s gardens.
Visit Christ Church, Washington’s church in Alexandria, VA.
Read an EyewitnessToHistory account of Elmer Ellsworth.
Read about Long Bridge.
Identify and describe the significance of:
- Perry.
- Decatur.
- Lawrence.
- Farragut.
- John Paul Jones.
Read the history of the State, War, and Navy Building.
And the New State Building, built since the book was written.
View Jefferson’s rough draft.
Most of the documents mentioned in the “state-paper case” can now be found at the Library of Congress.
Make a list of the duties of the Secretary of State, summarizing using your own words.
View the State Dining Room.
Learn more about the National Archives, the nation’s record keeper.
The War Department (Army) and the Navy Department are now part of the Department of Defense which also includes the Air Force Department established in 1947. The three branches are under the direct control of the Secretary of Defense.
Make a list of the duties of the Secretary of Defense, summarizing using your own words.
View a list of the Secretaries of War/Army, Secretaries of the Navy, and Secretaries of the Air Force.
View General Jackson’s sword and Lincoln’s bullet.
Compare and contrast George Washington’s uniform with the army uniform of today.
Read the history of the Battleship Indiana.
Read about the Presidential Succession Act of 1947.
Create a chart showing Presidential Succession.
Learn more about the The Great Seal of the United States.
Copywork: “[The Great Seal of the United States] is a spread eagle with the shield of the United States on his breast, in his right talon an olive branch, in his left a bunch of arrows; above his head is a cloud-wreath encircling a sunburst in which are thirteen stars, and in his beak the eagle holds a scroll bearing our motto: E pluribus unum.”
You can read Moretum, if you like.
Read “In Response” by Oliver Wendall Holmes.
How many bureaus does the State Department now have?
The Department of War was established in 1789.
The Department of Defense is housed in the Pentagon.
The Department of Defense includes many components!
Read about the people who have served as Secretary of Defense.
Read about the history of West Point.
If you are interested you, too, can read Cadet Days by Charles King.
The Department of Defense includes the Army Corp of Engineers and the National Guard.
Find out which state currently ranks the highest and lowest with regard to National Guard numbers, and compare to those figures mentioned in the book.
Learn more about the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force.
Read about the history of Annapolis Naval Academy.

Learn more about the Department of Defense from The Book of Knowledge:

Congress is also given power to declare war and to raise and support and army. Here the fear the makers of the Constitution had of a standing army caused them to say that all money voted for an army must not cover more than two years. At the end of that time the necessary funds must be voted again. Congress may also build and keep a navy….

“How the United States is Governed” from The Book of Knowledge