Sample Learning Playlist
This was created by Mrs. Self as an example.
Topic: Third Amendment – No Quartering of Troops
One of the liberties which we often forget or ignore is the protection against quartering troops in our
home during peace time. This learning playlist will allow the viewer to understand the history of the
right, the right and the effects of this protection for U.S. citizens.
Step 1: The Constitution Center/Annenberg Press. This site contains the text of the third
amendment to the Constitution and includes some explanation of the amendment.
http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution/the-amendments/amendment-3-quartering-of-soldiers
Step 2: WikiAnswers - What Does Quartering of Troops Mean? This site allows people to ask
questions and receive answers for anyone on the web who chooses to answer. While the site can
have incorrect information at times, this particular question does generate some links to additional
information that might be helpful.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_quartering_of_troops_mean
Step 3: The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This site gives history on the Quartering Acts
imposed by Britain on the colonists. This gives some insight on why the Founders thought it was
important to protect this as a right.
http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/the-quartering-act
Step 4: The Heritage Guide to the Constitution: Quartering of Troops. This site explains the third
amendment, some of the controversies over this protection at the time of ratification of the
Constitution and how it has been used in other cases to form precedents.
http://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/amendments/3/essays/143/quartering-of-troops
Step 5: The Post Gazette, November 2002. This site gives a modern example of each
amendment to the Constitution. This example cites the deployment of troops around the United
States after 9/11.
http://old.post-gazette.com/nation/20021117amendment_3p9.asp
Step 6: Encyclopedia of Civil Liberties. This site explains some of the history of the third
amendment, but, more importantly points to modern interpretation of the meaning underlying the
third amendment and the balancing act that must be undertaken.
http://american-civil-liberties.com/historical-overview/4332-quartering-of-troops-iii.html
Bonus Stop: Reason.TV: A humorous look at an amendment that both liberals and conservatives
can agree on!
https://youtu.be/1pk8IxqYF0E
Essential Question Answered:
What are the competing values found in the inclusion of the third amendment to the
Constitution?
Answer: This amendment reflects the struggle to balance the individual's need for privacy with the
government's need to provide security for the good of the nation as a whole. While it is difficult to
imagine the government requiring citizens to house soldiers in their homes today, it was a very real
problem at the time the Constitution was written. Without this liberty, Congress would be able to
compel citizens to house soldiers at any time and this could change our definitions of both liberty
and privacy.