US National Archives
Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Our American Government, 2000 Edition
A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative,...
iCivics
I Civics: The Federalist Debate
The ratification debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists gives us insight into the ideas behind both sides and a better understanding of how our government developed in its early years.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Bigelow v. Virginia (1975)
Brief overview of the Bigelow v. Virginia (1975) Supreme Court case.
Boston College
Boston College: Bigelow v. Virginia
Complete syllabus and decision on the Supreme Court case Bigelow v. Virginia (1975).
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Origins of Islamic Law
Learn how Islamic law developed over time. The development of the sharia, or traditional Islamic law is explored as nomadic tribes began to progress into a more stabilized Muslim Empire. Family law and criminal law is discussed because...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Nation Building: Different Visions for Vietnam
Collaborative learning activity on the concept of nation-building in which students examine historical events in Vietnam and use what they learn to develop a vision for 21st Century America.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Nation Building: u.s. Involvement in Nation Building Before Iraq
Activity-based resource in which students explore the concept of nation-building through analyzing historical events and examining U.S. role in nation-building. Complete list of resources with links for students.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Ibn Battuta: The Greatest Traveler in the Middle Ages
Activity-based resource on Ibn Battuta, world traveler of the Middle Ages. Includes questions for writing and discussion, research/presentation activity for students and links to additional lessons for teachers.
Other
Founding Fathers
Find information about the founding fathers and what they accomplished. Presents the Federalist Papers, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and The U.S. Constitution. Also includes images, quotes, a history of the...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Free Exercise of Religion
Information about the Free Exercise Clause and general purpose laws which protect individuals from government interference in their religious affairs.
Other
U.s. Supreme Court: Miranda v. Arizona, 384 u.s. 436 (1966)
A complete and in-depth history of the 1966 U.S. court case of Miranda v. Arizona.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Radical Reconstruction
Read about the frustration the Radical Republicans in Congress had with the Reconstruction plans of Andrew Johnson. Find out what legislation they were able to pass over Johnson's veto, and how they attempted to protect emancipated...
A&E Television
History.com: What Was the Scopes Trial Really About?
The Scopes Trial, also known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, was the 1925 prosecution of science teacher John Scopes for teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school, which a recent bill had made illegal. The trial featured two of the...
Other
Freedom Forum: Finding Common Ground Religious Liberty in Public Schools [Pdf]
A lengthy report on the issue of religious liberty and the public schools. Issues explored are religious holidays, a teacher's guide to the teaching of religion, and much more. The report is in PDF format.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792
This resource presents links for different parts of George Mason's life. Information about his life includes links to relevant topics.
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...
Read Works
Read Works: u.s. Presidents James Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The Early Republic
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the tremendous growing pains faced by the new republic of the United States from the presidency of George Washington up to the election of Thomas Jefferson. Find out about the domestic...
Other
Us Courts: Fourth Amendment Activities
Activities for the classroom on the 4th Amendment in which students apply landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to search and seizure issues at school, in the car, and the home. With lesson plan and links to...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Themes: America: What Makes America Unique?
This is a collection of Grade-Leveled texts (3-12) to address the question. "What makes America unique?" Select a grade level and a collection of on grade-level reading passages on the topic comes up. [Free account registration required...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Who Will You Back? (The First American Political Parties)
Students will produce an illustrated documentary on one of the first two American political parties.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Fifth Amendment
This resource provides both the text of the amendment and annotations as explanation of various words and phrases.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids History: The Magna Carta
Study the Magna Carta on this website. Learn about this famous document set the course for English Common Law as well as the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.