From the Civil War to 9/11: Democracy and the Right to a Fair Trial

I n the United States, our right to a fair trial is protected by the Constitution. The ideal of justice is a critical underpinning of our democracy. However, while the United States is a model of an honorable and just court system most of the time, our constitutional rights are occasionally stretched or broken. The rationale is often national security, but others assert that political shenanigans and moral lapses are the real culprits. One instance when constitutional rights were suspended was the case of Mary Surratt. Surratt was one of eight people accused in the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Her story is explored in the film The Conspirator, released on April 15, 2011, to coincide with the anniversary of Lincoln's death and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. In this article, I analyze The Conspirator through four questions that teachers can apply to any historical film they show.