In 2005, the US Supreme Court took on the most important property rights case in the history of our country. The case pitted homeowners in New London, Connecticut against city officials who wanted to use the power of eminent domain to redevelop the area in the hope of creating jobs and increasing tax revenues. The homeowners resisted, arguing that eminent domain power can only be used for public projects like roads and schools. Ultimately, however, the Court upheld the city’s right to transfer the homeowners’ property to private land developers. The controversial Kelo v. New London decision sparked a nationwide debate about the importance of property rights that continues today.

Unintended Consequences: Eminent Domain will introduce high school students to the history of eminent domain use in the United States. Students will hear Susette Kelo tell her story and travel to Florida and California to meet other Americans who are fighting to protect their property from city officials who want to put their land to “more productive” uses. After listening to the best arguments for and against the use of eminent domain for redevelopment, students will have an opportunity to discuss and debate the issue with their teachers and classmates.