Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Fifth Amendment
This resource provides both the text of the amendment and annotations as explanation of various words and phrases.
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Score: Debate on Ratification
Students become one of the famous men who argued for or against ratification of the Constitution. They research and present their argumets to the class, who will then vote whether or not to ratify the new Constitution.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Government Glossary
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson Activotes are used to access student's prior knowledge of the principles of the US constitutional government. Student knows the essential principles stated in the US Constitution-...
University of California
Back on the Chain Gang
This is a very short article but is an argument against the chain gang as a method of punishment, an idea that is regaining popularity.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: United States, 1821
A map of the United States and territories in 1821 after the Missouri Compromise, showing the Free States and territories, the Slave States and territories, and the transitional territories at the time. The map is color-coded to show the...
Other
Justia: Luther v. Borden
At the period of the American Revolution, Rhode Island did not, like the other States, adopt a new constitution, but continued the form of government established by the Charter of Charles the Second, making only such alterations, by acts...
iCivics
I Civics: u.s. V. Nixon (1974)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that then-sitting President Nixon had to turn over some recordings of his presidential communications to a court of law. Students learn about the Watergate break-in, the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Revolution in Social Law
Being able to own land and having land availble to own brought about great change in the new American nation. Read about how this came about and why it reflected new republican ideals. See what other changes were reflected in new state...
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: u.s. Congress
The New York Times Learning Network has developed many interactive & printable crossword puzzles. This one is on the U.S. Congress.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iv: Penal Judgments: Types Entitled to Recognition
Refers to Section I of Article IV that ascertains that judicial systems of states or countries are not responsible for enforcing the laws of another state or country.
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.
Other
Justia: Hollingsworth v. Perry
The California Supreme Court held that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violated the California Constitution; state voters then passed a ballot initiative, Proposition 8, amending the state constitution to define marriage as a...
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: Colorado State and Local Government
The Library of Congress provides information on the state government of Colorado, including its state legislature, judiciary, executive branch, constitution, legal guides, and general sources.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Making Rules
Follow the incremental process that the colonial leaders took over a ten-year period of time making new rules that would finally result in independence from Great Britain. See how many of them really didn't plan on independence, but that...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: An Uneasy Peace
See what turmoil resulted from the acquisition of new territory after the Mexican-American War. There was great disagreement between those who wanted to abolish slavery and those who wanted to be able to carry slavery into the new lands....
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: James Madison
This easy-to-navigate site has James Madison's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
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.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: United States Government
El Paso Independent School District in El Paso, Texas created this US Government text for its high school course using OER, CC, and public domain content from a variety of sources curated by educators in the district. The course is...
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.
Other
Justia: u.s. Supreme Court Center: Cases and Opinions: Search and Seizure
A comprehensive overview of the Fourth Amendment, on the legality of searches and seizures of persons or property, makes note of Supreme Court rulings on the subject of unreasonable searches and searches.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Gannett Co. V. De Pasquale (1979)
Complete Supreme Court opinion for Gannett Co. V. DePasquale.
Curated OER
Etc: Slavery and Slave Trade, 1830 1850
A map of the United States during the period of 1850 to 1850 showing the effects of slavery, the slave trade, and the abolition movement on territorial development. The map uses colored patterns to indicate the areas and phases of...