Digital History
Digital History: Creating New State Governments
See how state constitutions were the incubator of ideas that eventually became embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Centralized vs. Decentralized Rule: The Articles of Confederation
Activity comparing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. Using a variety of articles, students research and create a chart with explanations and critical comparisons of the two governing documents.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: War and International Law: America's Foreign Policy: Military Intervention
Identify the considerations of the government when it comes to using military force in a situation that constitutes vital national interest.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Powers Denied to the States
Resource explains how during the time of the Civil War the Supreme Court used Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution to show that the Confederation formed by the seceding States had no legal existence. The site also...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: St. Thomas Aquinas, Natural Law, and the Common Good
Learning activity in which students survey the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas and his ideas on government, natural law, and the common good to create policies or programs the U.S. government could enact. Questions for discussion and...
Other
A Republic, if You Can Keep It
An essay by U.S. Congressional Representative Ron Paul of Texas on the state of the American republic delivered at the dawn of the twenty-first century. He argues for the strong separation of powers among the three branches of government...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Alexander Hamilton
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Alexander Hamilton represented the growing movement towards a strong national government. Read the beginning stages of the nationalist movement, the conflicting ideas of state...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason the Virginia Bill of Rights
The Virginia Bill of Rights was the framework for the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Some of Mason's actual phrasing appear in the first ten amendments passed fifteen years later. He is credited for authoring the first American...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Drafting the Constitution
Problems with the new government of the United States led to rethinking the rules of governing. Read a brief overview of what the results were.
A&E Television
History.com: When the Supreme Court Ruled a Vaccine Could Be Mandatory
In 1901 a deadly smallpox epidemic tore through the Northeast, prompting the Boston and Cambridge boards of health to order the vaccination of all residents. But some refused to get the shot, claiming the vaccine order violated their...
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: The Power of the Courts: Marbury vs. Madison, 1803
Website with primary source material on the making of the U.S. government and Constitution explains how Marbury vs. Madison brought the power of Judicial Review to the Supreme Court.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Iroquois Tribes
The Iroquois were a group of five tribes linked by their language and similar culture. Read about why the Iroquois were such a great example of the elevated role of women in the tribes, the complex lifestyle they had, and their political...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Historic Valley Forge: Major General Alexander Hamilton
A short biography of Alexander Hamilton containing information on his military service during the American Revolution as well as his later life in politics.
Scholastic
Scholastic: What Is the Definition of Citizenship?
A brief, easy to read definition of citizenship, with links to closely related subjects like how to become a citizen, the definition of naturalization, the Constitution on citizenship, and the history of citizenship in the United States.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: The American Revolution
Teachers will find an assortment of readings to enhance teaching about the revolutionary origins of the American Government.
Library of Congress
Loc: The New Nation, 1783 1815
The links in the New Nation, which is provided for by the Library of Congress, will lead you to sets of selected primary sources on a variety of topics,such as the Constitution, governmental policy on Native Americans, and problems and...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Vital Protection for Individual Liberties
Explanation of the constitutional amendments and process of amending as intentionally organized to increase protection of the civil liberties of U.S. citizens.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Responsibilities of Citizenship
Outline discusses the responsibilities and duties of citizenship that go along with the rights and freedoms expressed in the U.S. Constitution.
iCivics
I Civics: Curriculum Units
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...
Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon State Archives: The Oregon Blue Book
The Oregon Blue Book, the official state directory and fact book, provides a wealth of information about Oregon. "FACTS," contains almanac references, economy information, scenic images, capital city information, and state buildings;...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Income Tax Law: An Overview
A collection of resources for understanding income tax law, including its roots in the Constitution, federal and state statutes and regulations, judicial decisions, and links to the websites of government and tax agencies.
PBS
Structure of Congress and the Legislative Process Lesson
This lesson explores the structure of Congress and the legislative process. There is an introduction, a research activity, an assessment, and a role play activity.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Benjamin Franklin's Rising Sun
Franklin, as the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention, recognized the arguments against the proposed new government and the strength of the Federalists. The essay gives insight into Franklin's views on the drafted...