Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Wwics: Congressional Oversight: Rules of the Road Less Traveled
This extremely well-written article is a thorough description of the powers, responsibilities and inherent problems of the current congressional oversight system. It is easily read and well organized. (Oct. 24, 2004)
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: History of the Constitution
This history of the American Constitution discusses how the Constitution served as a basis for inspiring and regulating laws made across the nation.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii (Lab Team 3)
In this activity 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 action.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Centralized vs. Decentralized Rule: The Articles of Confederation
Activity comparing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. Using a variety of articles, students research and create a chart with explanations and critical comparisons of the two governing documents.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Articles of Confederation
At this site from the University of Groningen's page of "From Revolution to Reconstruction", you can read the Articles of Confederation, written in 1781. Authors listed with the states for which they were writing.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iv: Doctrine of the Equality of States
This resource discusses Clause 1, Section 3, in Article IV. It outlines the parameters put in place to ensure that as new states entered the union, power was equitably distributed among all.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Constitution Game
This game is all about the U.S. Constitution. Click start and drag the item where it belongs in the Constitution. The resource contains links to learn more about the Constitution.
US Senate
The u.s. Senate: The Senate and the United States Constitution
This site from the United States Senate provides information about the evolution of the Senate as the Constitution was being written by the Constitutional Congress.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: The First Constitution: The Articles of Confederation
Primary source document of the Articles of Confederation with explanatory text and photograph of the Assembly Room at the Pennsylvania State House
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Deficiencies of the Confederation
The original text of a 1787 article in which James Madison discusses the failures of the Articles of Confederation. An interesting look at the problems with the states and with foreign countries.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Deficiencies of the Confederation
University of Chicago Press provides a letter from John Jay to Thomas Jefferson in which Jay explains the need to reform the government existing under the Articles of Confederation.
Library of Congress
Loc: Policies and Problems of the Confederation Government
This teacher resource includes imagesand historical documents, alllowing readers to trace the creation of our government from the Continental Congress through the Articles of Confederation. An overview helps to clarify the policies and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Records of the Federal Convention: Farrand
This article offers discussion of various aspects of the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787, along with images from original congressional documents.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iv: National Supremacy
This resource provides a review of Clause 2, Article VI, "Supremacy of the Constitution, Laws and Treaties."
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Vi
This resource provides links to papers written about Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. Sample topics include: Validity of Prior Debts and Engagements, Supremacy of the Constitution, National Supremacy, the Power of Congress in Respect...
Incredible Art Department
The Incredible Art Department: Constitution Day
Discusses the origin of Constitution Day and the history of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Lists descriptions of the seven articles and twenty-seven amendments in the Constitution. Presents lesson suggestions from teachers and...
Other
Constitution Facts
How much do you really know about the most important document in United States' history? Take the quiz and test your knowledge. If you need some additional information, click on the US Constitution and Amendments tab and play the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement:the Preamble to the Constitution
These step-by-step lesson plans help students understand the historical background to the U.S. Constitution. Students simulate a hypothetical situation where they must create their own rules and figure out how to work together. Links to...
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Constitutional Convention: Creating the Constitution
Explains why the Articles of Confederation were not strong enough to hold the country together. One result was a farmers' rebellion in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, which was precipitated by a debt crisis that caused many farmers to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Constitutional Convention of 1787
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "The Constitutional Convention of 1787" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: The Annenberg Guide to the United States Constitution
The Annenberg guide to the United States Constitution: what It says, what It means. RI.11-12.8 seminal U.S. texts
Quia
Quia: Building of the Constitution
Quiz yourself on how well you know the events leading up to writing the United States Constitution.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is the Role of the President?
The president has great power granted to him under Article II of the Constitution, while at the same time extensive limits have been placed to keep that power in check. This source contains extensive background on these powers and...