Library of Congress
Loc: The New Nation, 1783 1815
The links in the New Nation, which is provided for by the Library of Congress, will lead you to sets of selected primary sources on a variety of topics,such as the Constitution, governmental policy on Native Americans, and problems and...
![Digital History: The Road to Philadelphia [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: The Road to Philadelphia [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: The Road to Philadelphia [Pdf]
The new United States government had many problems under the Articles of Confederation. Find out what these problems were, but also discover some of the successes accomplished under that constitution. [pdf]
iCivics
I Civics: Wanted: A Just Right Government
Look at the tensions and differences of opinion that existed among early American states and citizens. Learn about the Articles of Confederation, why the first "constitution" didn't work, and how compromise led to the Constitution.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Georgia's Constitution and the Articles of Confederation
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart focuses on social studies skills by introducing students to Georgia's 1st Constitution and new United States' Articles of Confederation. Timelines are introduced where students add facts...
Digital History
Digital History: Was the Constitutional Convention Legal?
A look at the convening of a Constitutional Convention to address the problems inherent in the Articles of Confederation. Read a quote from George Washington, who addressed the legality of such a convention.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Statement by Hugh Williamson
A short statement by Williamson given during a debate in Congress (1792) on Article 1, Section 9, Clause 4 of the Constitution.
Other
Real Democracy: Proposed Article of Amendment Xxvii
Read a "proposed" Article of Amendment XXVII - Nonpartisan Direct Representative Democracy, Government Electorate, Voting and Education Networks. Read this example of a proposed amendment for the establishment of direct democracy and a...
Other
Constitutional Principle: Charles Pinckney and Separation of Church and State
A short article describing Pinckney's views on religion and the role of the state. Excerpted from a book by Anson Phelps Stokes.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Piracies, Felonies, and Offenses Against the Law
This resource explains Clause 10 of Article I of the U.S. Constitution beginning with the origins of "Piracies, Felonies, and Offenses Against the Law of Nations." Further historical background as considered by the Constitutional...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Annotation 10: Sixth Amendment: Assistance to Council
This article uses specific court cases to show how the right to counsel at trial was developed into the present day standard.
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.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Additional Amendments
The Constitution contains within itself the process of changing it. The amendment process is described in Article 5. Amendments can be proposed in Congress when 2/3rd of both Houses agree. The states can play a role in proposing changes...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: Presidential Power to Use Troops
In-depth analysis of the use of presidential power to send troops abroad without consent of Congress.
Library of Congress
Loc: Religion and the Founding of American Rep.: Religion and the Federal Gov
This site from the Library of Congress presents selections of articles, writings, and pictures that summarize the beliefs of the early American politicians that morality and personal independence were essential for the country. Links to...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Great Compromise
A learning module on the Great Compromise and the role it played in developing the US Constitution in 1787. It includes several supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: The New Nation, 1783 1815
[Free Registration/Login Required] This website documents the United States through its struggles to become a new nation. Site includes primary source documents for the Articles of Confederation, US Constitutional Convention, and George...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Lesson Plans
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Activity)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides a instructional activity, focusing on the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, that relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make and approve treaties with...
Other
History.library Point: John Francis Mercer: A Neglected Patriot
An interesting article on the life of the delegate from Maryland to the Constitutional Convention who eventually walked out (along with his fellow delegate Luther Martin) and fell into the anti-Federalist camp.
Yale University
Avalon Project: The Federalist Papers
With this resource, you can search by keyword for particular subjects within the Federalist Papers, or you can access by number each of the Papers. Also available are links to four related documents: The Annapolis Convention, Articles of...
iCivics
I Civics: Trying Self Government
In this instructional activity, young scholars will learn about the Articles of Confederation's strengths and weaknesses as well as how it downfalls impacted the writing and ideas in the U.S. Constitution.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson: Establishing a Federal Republic
This Library of Congress article states that Jefferson, although serving as U.S. minister in France while the U.S. Constitution was being written, still influenced its outcome and wording through correspondence. Read this brief overview...
Other
Michigan State University: Isomers
This in depth article on isomers has sections that range from basic information to stereoisomers. A section with diagrams is also included.
Other
Tench Coxe and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, 1787 1823
A scholarly article about Tench Coxe, his support for ratifying the Constitution, the roles he played in the Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison administrations, and especially his analysis and defense of the Second Amendment.