Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iii: Categories of Contempt
An in-depth look at the different types of contempt of court, in the United States legal system.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: A New Government
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart discusses the events following the American Revolution and how the new government developed. The Articles of Confederation and their replacement by the US Constitution are explained....
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Article Iii: Annotations
This resource discusses both the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the appellate jurisdiction of the lower federal courts. There are hypertext links to related materials.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Full Faith and Credit Clause
Learn about the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution (Article IV) and its impact on American citizens. Topics include the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the Violence Again Women Act.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Branches of Government
Beginning page of a Learning Adventure examines what parts of the Constitution give the branches of the Federal Government their specific powers. Those three parts are Article I, Article II, and Article III.
Digital History
Digital History: A Bill of Rights? [Pdf]
There was no Bill of Rights attached to the original Constitution, but it was a topic of discussion. Read a reconstruction of speeches of delegates to the Constitutional Convention who debated for and against the inclusion of a way to...
Princeton University
Princeton University: William Paterson
A magazine article devoted to Princeton University offers a biography of its distinguished alumnus, who later became Governor of New Jersey and co-authored the New Jersey Plan which was presented to the Constitutional Convention.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Jared Ingersoll (1749 1822)
This article gives highlights on the career of this delegate from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention. Ingersoll was considered one of the best lawyers in Philadelphia at that time.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: William Few
This article provides background biographical information on William Few, one of the delegates from Georgia to the Constitutional Convention, and who later served as a United States Senator.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Nicholas Gilman
A detailed article on the life of Nicholas Gilman, one of the delegates from New Hampshire to the Constitutional Convention. He later served as a Congressman and Senator.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Langdon
This article summarizes the life of John Langdon, one of the delegates from New Hampshire to the Constitutional Convention. It gives details on his personal life, military and political careers.
Other
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, South Carolina
A short but nice biographical article on the life of this delegate from South Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. Also he served in the American Revolution.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Resource Study: Charles Pinckney National Historic Site [Pdf]
A scholarly publication which examines the archaeological findings of Snee Farm, the plantation and house owned by Charles Pinckney, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from South Carolina. Click on "Table of Contents" to get a...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tough Issues
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
A&E Television
History.com: Continental Congress
From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. The First Continental Congress, which was comprised of delegates from the colonies, met in 1774 in reaction to...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives some background history to the creation of the Bill of Rights and contains a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form.
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.
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.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Republic
This detailed article defines the term republic, discusses the characteristics of a republican government, examines significant republican governments throughout history, and looks at different types of republican governments in the...
Other
James Grimmerlmann: Copyright, Technology, and Access to the Law
Articles on technology and access to the law. The author discusses some innovative features of the Code from a legal standpoint, such as the number index system and the stele used to inscribe the laws.
Other
Why the Fifth Amendment? By Howard Fast
This article, written by Howard Fast in 1954, attacks the government and Senator Joseph McCarthy for leading away from the rights protected by the amendment.
Other
Fundamentals of Judicial Philosophy: Activism
This short article discusses judicial restraint versus judicial activism, with constitutional and case study references.
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...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Royal Wedding Highlights Challenges for Modern Monarchies
Article provides an easy-to-understand description of the royal family in Britain and an explanation of the term constitutional monarchy. April, 2011