Information on researching state constitutions and their history. Includes a 50-State A to Z list of resources for finding the full text of state constitutions, information on amendment process, pending and historical amendments,...

Ben's Guide is a fun way to present US laws to school aged children. This site presents a thorough investigation into ways to amend the Constitution. Links to related sites are available.

The complete text of the 85 Federalist Papers which explained why the authors believed the new Constitution should be ratified.

In this lesson, students examine primary source materials including the Book of Laws, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta in order to understand their meaning and to compare them. They then prepare an argument on...

The issue of slavery was a contentious one during debates in the Constitutional Convention. Read about the various issues, the quotes of several of the delegates, and see how the word "slave" is not even mentioned in the Constitution....

This interactive lesson gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and...

Learning Adventures from Bensguide summarizes the process of lawmaking outlined in the U.S. Constitution and provides links to a glossary of legislative terms and Congressional Resolution from 2003.

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.

An excerpt from Montesquieu's "The Spirit of Laws" on his philosophy on democratic government and trade.

Identify the considerations of the government when it comes to using military force in a situation that constitutes vital national interest.

This website, a unit introducing the law and legal system, is organized into six chapters where you can learn about laws, lawmaking, citizen advocacy, dispute settlements, the court system, and lawyers.

The Jungle dives into the terrible working conditions in the meat-packing industry which led to investigations and new food safety laws.

A brief overview of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Includes a link to the full text of the amendment. Discusses equal protection.

A list of terms presented by PBS and Newshour of the values that make up the foundation of American constitutional democracy and the preservation of political and economic freedoms.

A complete transcript of James McHenry's account of the Constitutional Convention on May 14, 1787. McHenry discusses the Virginia Plan.

Explore the rise of unions in the United States in the early 1900's. Understand Roosevelt's role in unions, the Wagner Act, and sit down strikes.

Does innocence matter in our criminal justice system? Don't the DNA cases show that we are not getting the right outcome in more cases than we previously thought?

n this lesson, students learn what factors members of Congress consider when deciding whether to vote for a bill, including the powers given to Congress by the Constitution, what a member's constituents want, his or her political party's...

Learners will analyze historical records of the House and Senate to understand the sequence of steps in the legislative process. The students will work collaboratively to study documents and identify the step in the process that each...

A short biography of one of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.

A short biography of Caleb Strong, a delegate from Massachusetts to the Constitutional Convention, focusing on his role as Governor of Massachusetts in the early 19th century.

The American Revolution included so much more than just the War for Independence. Read about why it was the first modern revolution and discover the principles that the American revolutionaries were fighting for.

Take a tour of the federal government with Uncle Sam and learn the story of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the three branches of government, and elections. Along the way learn how laws are made, about the Bill of...

Explore the five basic limits on government through the true story of Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, and other fictional cases of government power gone wild.