What happens when a people decide to govern themselves? America’s national treasures come to life in this compelling exhibition that examines the bold experiment to create a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith explores the history of citizen participation, debate, and compromise from the nation’s formation to today. Through objects such as Thomas Jefferson’s portable desk, used to draft the Declaration of Independence; the inkstand Lincoln used to draft the Emancipation Proclamation; and the table on which Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, the exhibition focuses on the changing political ideals and principles of the nation, citizenship in a pluralistic society, and political participation and engagement.
Exhibition Website
Can't visit the museum to see American Democracy? Explore the historic objects and dive into the history on the exhibition website (coming soon).
Companion Book
Explore the exhibition at home with a companion volume to the museum exhibition.
![The Declaration of Independence Desk A portable desk. The desk's single drawer is partialy open, and its top is a raised position, tilted slightly in order to facilitate holding a piece of paper.](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2016-08828.jpg)
The Declaration of Independence Desk
A portable desk. The desk's single drawer is partialy open, and its top is a raised position, tilted slightly in order to facilitate holding a piece of paper.
![Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/A.5.1.0004%20ET2012-13961%20%281%29.jpg)
Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand
Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand
![The Declaration of Sentiments Table The Declaration of Sentiments Table](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2016-04779.jpg)
The Declaration of Sentiments Table
The Declaration of Sentiments Table
![Woman Suffrage Wagon, 1870s–1920 Woman Suffrage Wagon, 1870s–1920](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/A.2.1.0003%20ET2015-08103.jpg)
Woman Suffrage Wagon, 1870s–1920
Woman Suffrage Wagon, 1870s–1920
!["Franklin" common press "Franklin" common press](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2016-8019.jpg)
"Franklin" common press
"Franklin" common press
![Pamphlet, "Common Sense", 1776 Pamphlet, "Common Sense", 1776](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/A.1.2.0056%20AHB2016q013018%20Common%20Sense%20225292.11.jpg)
Pamphlet, "Common Sense", 1776
Pamphlet, "Common Sense", 1776
![Liberty Banner, 1790s Liberty Banner, 1790s](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/A.1.5.0128%20ET2013-00184.jpg)
Liberty Banner, 1790s
Liberty Banner, 1790s
![Constitutional Convention Box Constitutional Convention Box](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/A.1.4.0142%20ET2017-00503.jpg)
Constitutional Convention Box
Constitutional Convention Box
![15th Amendment Pen 15th Amendment Pen](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2015-20048.jpg)
15th Amendment Pen
15th Amendment Pen
![19th Amendment Pen 19th Amendment Pen](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2015-20026.jpg)
19th Amendment Pen
19th Amendment Pen
![Log Cabin Parade Prop, 1840 Log Cabin Parade Prop, 1840](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2015-15052.jpg)
Log Cabin Parade Prop, 1840
Log Cabin Parade Prop, 1840
![Cartoon, "Stranger Things Have Happened", 1879 Cartoon, "Stranger Things Have Happened", 1879](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/I.3.2.0037%20AHB2014q013124.jpg)
Cartoon, "Stranger Things Have Happened", 1879
Cartoon, "Stranger Things Have Happened", 1879
![Magnifying Glass, 2000 Magnifying Glass, 2000](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2015-9172.jpg)
Magnifying Glass, 2000
Magnifying Glass, 2000
![Kennedy Debate Chair, 1960 Kennedy Debate Chair, 1960](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/A.3.7.0185%20RWS2012-04327.jpg)
Kennedy Debate Chair, 1960
Kennedy Debate Chair, 1960
![Poster, SCLC Poor People's Campaign, 1968 Poster, SCLC Poor People's Campaign, 1968](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/RWS2015-04611.jpg)
Poster, SCLC Poor People's Campaign, 1968
Poster, SCLC Poor People's Campaign, 1968
![Susan B. Anthony’s Shawl Susan B. Anthony’s Shawl](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2016-05482.jpg)
Susan B. Anthony’s Shawl
Susan B. Anthony’s Shawl
![Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Menorah Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Menorah](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2016-02626.jpg)
Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Menorah
Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Menorah
![The Great Historical Clock of America The Great Historical Clock of America](/sites/default/files/exhibitions/ET2016-12210_1.jpg)
The Great Historical Clock of America
The Great Historical Clock of America