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...

This is the 3rd section of a PDF entitled Congress Creates the Bill of Rights. This section focuses on the articles debated in Congress that eventually formed the Bill of Rights. Background on each article is given as well as a picture...

The sources in this primary set document the creation of the US Constitution. Includes teaching guide.

After reading this section of the chapter on "Creating Republican Governments", students will be able to identify the central issues of the 1787 Constitutional Convention and their solutions and also describe the conflicts over the...

This article contains information about the principles used to create the Constitution of the United States.

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 original text of official Resolutions by members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 during the debate creating a new national U.S. Constitution.

The original Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between thirteen states, created in 1777 and ratified in 1781. It preceded the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

Article on equal rights and the series of events leading to the passage of the 15th Amendment. Includes questions for discussion and an activity in which students re-create the Voting Rights Convention.

The framers of the Constitution had a great distaste for the monarchial society of Great Britain. See how this was reflected in the checks and balances they wrote into the Constitution in an effort to create a working republic.

This lesson introduces students to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all. At the end of the lesson, students...

USS Constitution was built as a fighting machine and utilized the six simple machines of science to accomplish the many tasks required of her. Learners will identify and manipulate these machines to create inventions that would have made...

This website was created by faculty, students, and staff to publicly present information about Columbia's historical connections to the institution of slavery. This article focuses on King's College, soon to be Columbia College, in the...

Learn about the United States Mint and how it was created by the Constitution. Details on coins the Mint has produced, its role in U.S. history, and growth.

A large collection of Social Studies units, WebQuests, and games that focuses on teaching students how government works and the importance of being responsible, informed American citizens. Units are linked to state standards. A teacher...

The Amendments protect our rights; but in defending one person's rights, another person may be harmed! The Fourteenth Amendment is discussed here with all the ensuing ramifications of decisions made on Affirmative Action, Women's Rights,...

By the end of this section of a chapter on "Creating Republican Governments," students will be able to explain the development of state constitutions, describe the features of the Articles of Confederation, and analyze the causes and...