Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Religious Rights in Conflict
What happens when rights conflict? Explore sample conflicts: Free press vs. fair trial, religious rights in conflict, and Singapore: model society or city of fear? Great learning activities and lesson plans for teachers and students.
Other
Government of Switzerland: Democracy: The Swiss Political System
This site provides short of voters' political rights for Swiss citizens and how the voting system works.
US National Archives
National Archives: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii
This activity can be used during a unit on the U.S. Constitution. Learners will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in...
Library of Congress
Loc: The United States Constitution
See transcripts of the debates of the Federal Convention of 1787, the draft of the Constitution, or see the facsimiles of the original documents. Trace the progress of the Constitution using the historical documents themselves.
iCivics
I Civics: State and Local Governments
Use this library of mini-lessons to teach students about the concept of federalism, from the powers held by the federal government to the powers reserved for the states. They will also learn about state government structures and...
US National Archives
National Archives: Congress Protects the Right to Vote
Students will draw conclusions regarding actions taken by Congress when passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They will weigh the balance of power between the federal and state governments when protecting the right to vote. Materials...
US National Archives
National Archives: Understanding Federalism
This comprehensive lesson plan will introduce students to Federalism and its role in civic life. There are five themes of Federalism each with a separate activity. Worksheets, answer keys, discussion questions, and optional activities...
Indiana University
Center on Congress: Learn About Congress
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
Digital History
Digital History: Local Control vs. National Authority [Pdf]
One of the debates at the Constitutional Convention centered on whether states or a national government would have greater authority. Read a reconstruction of speeches given by delegates to the convention concerning this important issue....
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Constitutional Convention
George Washington wrote of the period between the Treaty of Paris and the writing of the Constitution that the states were united only by a "rope of sand."Disputes between Maryland and Virginia over navigation on the Potomac River led to...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Federal System
Outline of the principles embedded in a Federal System of government attempting to balance states' rights with the need for a central government.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: Why Was a Federal System of Government Created?
A summary in outline format of the factors related to the development of a federal government in the United States.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Canadian Federalism
An outline on the structure of Canadian Federalism. The article discusses the history of Canadian federalism, how political power is distributed, and federalism's relationship with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The site...
Other
Liberty Online: Locke's Second Treatise on Government: Of Conquest
At this site you can read Chapter XVI, Of Conquest, by John Locke stating that the basis of any government must be the consent of the people, and implying in the writing that war or revolution is often mistaken as consent. (Published in...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: National Versus State Government Federalism
Gives the difference between the two different types of federalism in the United States government.
Cato Institute
James Madison's Vision of Liberty [Pdf]
An article by the CATO institute about James Madison's vision for his writing and contribution for the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Includes information on his views of a limited government for citizens' rights.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Tenth Amendment
Annenberg Classroom resource on the 10th Amendment which attempts to create a balance of power between federal and state government. With links to related news articles and resources.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Founders Quotes
Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood. -...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: The Pursuit of Justice
This book analyzes 30 Supreme Court cases chosen by a group of Supreme Court justices and leading civics educators as the most important for American citizens to understand. An additional 100 significant cases included in state history...
Other
Center for Individual Rights
The Center "is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to the defense of individual liberties." The CIR presents their philosophy on civil rights, free expression, religious liberty, and federalism.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Founding Principles
Below, you will find suggested definitions of each principle. Click here to read the words of James Madison, a primary contributor to the Constitution, and other Founders on these principles.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Federal Versus State Government
Learning Adventure teaches about the differences between federal and state governments as written in the Constitution and shares reasons the founding fathers wanted it this way.