Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Constitutional Convention
The delegates of the Constitutional Convention framed the Constitution of the United States as a basis of government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: The United States Constitution
Article covers the history and origins of the US Constitution.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Constitution of the United States Article Vii
The full original text of Article VII of the U.S. Constitution establishing the rules for legal ratification of the entire U.S. Constitution by the individual states. Includes explanatory historical notes.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Alexander Hamilton to James Duane
The original text from the University of Chicago Press of a 1780 letter from Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, who later became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, on the weaknesses of the existing U.S. government under the...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Annotated Constitution: Article I
Commentary on the development over time of congressional districting, based on Article I, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution.
Digital History
Digital History: The Age of Constitution Writing [Pdf]
See how colonial and state constitutions differed and how the idea of a social contract between a government and its citizens is reflected in the state constitutions. The second half of this site gives an abbreviated text of the Articles...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Constitution Lives
As part of the study of the Constitution, young scholars will do research on and create a Constitutional scrapbook and multimedia presentation on the Bill of Rights. Students will use various media print resources as well as the Internet...
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The Articles of Confederation: America's First Constitution [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining the problems with the Articles of Confederation and why they were replaced with the Constitution.
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: Constitutional Convention and Ratification
Among the many weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the government to conduct foreign policy in an effective manner. Find out how the Constitutional Convention addressed this issue by allowing the Executive...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Constitution or Articles?
In this lesson, students will observe the political climate at the time of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and read the writings of the delegates who refused to sign the proposed Constitution, as well as those who supported it....
Texas Legislative Council
Texas Legislative Council: Amendments to the Texas Constitution Since 1876 [Pdf]
A 142-page document listing all of the hundreds of amendments to the Texas Constitution since 1876, organized into a table. The amendments are listed consecutively by Article number, then Section, followed by topic, action, date, etc.
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The u.s. Constitution: Framing, Principles and Ratification [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining how the Articles of Confederation were replaced with the Constitution and the compromises that were reached during debates.
Other
George Mason: Architect of Constitutional Liberty
A scholarly article on the life of George Mason, a delegate from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention. Mason is also considered the father of the Bill of Rights.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
This encyclopedia article explains what it means to plead the Fifth, and provides an excerpt from the Fifth Amendment.
Other
Institute for American Liberty: The First Principles of the Constitution [Pdf]
This article contains information about the principles used to create the Constitution of the United States.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: African Americans and the 15th Amendment
Article on equal rights and the series of events leading to the passage of the 15th Amendment. Includes questions for discussion and an activity in which students re-create the Voting Rights Convention.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: A Brief History of Jim Crow
Article provides an overview of the history of Jim Crow laws and questions for discussion.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Social Protests
Article with questions for writing and discussion on the social protests of the Civil Rights Movement. Students analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various strategies used during the 50s and 60s to challenge segregation and improve...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: w.e.b. Du Bois
Article outlining the ideas, life and career of W.E.B. Dubois.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Marcus Garvey
Article summarizing the life and work of Marcus Garvey.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Gandhi and Civil Disobedience
Article which highlights the life and work of Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi.
Other
Calliope Film: Shays' Rebellion and the Constitution
Synopsis of the historical significance of Shays' Rebellion in 1786 and how this upheaval influenced the Continental Congress to adopt the Constitution of the United States.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Jackie Robinson: Desegregation Begins With a Baseball
Article presenting the story of Jackie Robinson and how he challenged segregation through American baseball.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The u.s. Constitution: Quiz (1)
This 10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers details about the Constitution and Articles of Confederation.