University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: u.s. Constitution
Video test preparation module for Social Studies on the U.S. Constitution teaches students about provisions and compromises made during the Constitutional Convention and how the terms reflect Enlightenment thinking.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Historical Documents
Ohio test preparation material on the important historical documents from which the principles of U.S. democracy are reflected. With video tutorials, practice, and assessment.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Cast of National Superstars
A brief look at some of those who served as delegates to the Philadelphia Convention, which morphed into a constitutional convention. Pay attention to the class of people who made up the delegates.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Politics in Colonial Virginia
This site explores the politics involved in Colonial Williamsburg, leading up to the American Revolution. Content focuses on famous speeches, documents, and influential people.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: John Jay
A biography of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and author of some of the Federalist Papers.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History Period 3: 1754 1800: The American Revolution
This Khan Academy resource provides video lessons, detailed notes, and practice questions for the AP U.S. History Exam. The years 1754-1800 are covered.
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.
Digital History
Digital History: Paper Money and Shays' Rebellion [Pdf]
A very good explantion of the frustration and desperation felt by farmers not only in Massachusttetts but throughout the new United States as states attempted to collect taxes in order to pay off war debts. Daniel Shays and his men were...
Other
The Architect of the Capitol: Roger Sherman
This resource from the Architect of the Capitol is a government site that focuses on art and architecture in the U.S. Capitol. Features a picture of a marble statue of Sherman.
iCivics
I Civics: Federalists & Anti Federalists
Look at the debate and eventual compromise, between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists that occurred around the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: Unit Test
Take this eleven question unit test over US history during the period of 1754 and 1800.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: Quiz 2
A quick comprehension check over the period in US history when the constitution was being established.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Creating the Us Constitution
The sources in this primary set document the creation of the US Constitution. Includes teaching guide.
iCivics
I Civics: We're Free... Let's Grow!
Students explore the challenges the nation faced when it acquired the Northwest Territory, including America's doubling in geographical size and how the new territory was to be added to the U.S.
A&E Television
History.com: What Did the Three Continental Congresses Do?
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress became America's de facto government. Over a period of 15 years, from 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress underwent a profound evolution. Starting out as a temporary group that...
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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Quia
Quia: Building of the Constitution
Quiz yourself on how well you know the events leading up to writing the United States Constitution.
Digital History
Digital History: Creating New State Governments
See how state constitutions were the incubator of ideas that eventually became embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
Digital History
Digital History: The Critical Period: Introduction
The years immediately following the end of the Revolutionary War were fraught with problems both domestically and in foreign affairs. There were also accomplishments in the expansion of the economy. Read about the problems and why...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Winning the Vote
Three lesson plans that take students through three different steps in our election process.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The u.s. Constitution: Quiz (2)
10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers events pertaining to the U.S. Constittution.