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.
Other
History Today: Native Americans and the Federal Government
Andrew Boxer traces the origins of a historical issue still as controversial and relevant today as in past centuries. At the start of the twentieth century there were approximately 250,000 Native Americans in the USA - just 0.3 per cent...
Quia
Quia: American Colonial Government and Policies
Review your knowledge of the early American government with these interactive games. Play concentration, matching, flashcards, or click on "list of terms" to see the vocabulary used in each activity.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Declaration of Independence: 1776
Website with games and information on American government provides information on the Declaration of Independence and summarizes the history surrounding the document.
Other
Liberty Online: Locke's Second Treatise on Government: Of Conquest
At this site you can read Chapter XVI, Of Conquest, by John Locke stating that the basis of any government must be the consent of the people, and implying in the writing that war or revolution is often mistaken as consent. (Published in...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Symbols of u.s. Government: Uncle Sam (3 5)
Read historical background on the origins of Uncle Sam, the figure that symbolizes the United States.
Other
Media History Digital Library: Government & Law Collection (1912 1995)
A collection of original documents that deal with the interactions between the film industry and the government. They cover such issues as censorship, film industry regulation, labor issues, juvenile delinquency, and the blacklisting of...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, made by the second American Continental Congress and adopted July 4, 1776, announced the separation of the original thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain making them into the United...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Boston "Tea Party"
In 1773, however, Britain furnished Adams and his allies with an incendiary issue. The powerful East India Company, finding itself in critical financial straits, appealed to the British government, which granted it a monopoly on all tea...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Independence Day: Fundamental Ideas About Government
In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson is completed, students should be able to...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Samuel Adams
Overview on the early American radical, Samuel Adams, a political organizer who called for American independence.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Don Ramon Musquiz to Jose Maria Letona
Read a letter from 1831 that relays the efforts of the Cherokees to keep their land through negotiations with the Mexican government. This site includes images of the original letter as well as line-by-line transcription of the...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Colonists: What Were They Thinking?
This tutorial looks at the British political traditions that influenced the American colonists as they gained their independence from Britain and created their own form of government. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Common Sense and Independence
Overview of the philosophy of Thomas Paine in his widely read Common Sense pamphlet, and "natural rights" philosphy as expressed in the opening passage of the Declaration of Independence.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Theory of the American Founding: Why Government? (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that considers how the American founders answered the question, What is government? Examines why, from the point of view of the founders, government is not only necessary, but good for human beings.
Other
New Britain Museum of American Art: George Tooker
This resource provides information about the artist George Tooker. His painting "Bird Watchers" may be enlarged and is accompanied by an analysis of the artwork and background on the artist.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: u.s.sanitary Commission and Other Relief Agencies
The origins of the United States Sanitary Commission is discussed and its work in the aid of Union soldiers of the Civil War, trying "to do what the Government could not" for soldiers. From "The Photographic History of the Civil War" by...
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: Thomas Paine
Read about Thomas Paine's revolutionary publication "Common Sense" of 1776. Be sure to click on 'featured place' and 'classroom resources' for more facts and information about Paine.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Virginia Plan (1787)
Read the complete text of the Virginia Plan that proposed a strong central government consisting of three branches. You can also view images of the original drafts.
Library of Congress
Loc: Indian Land Cessions in the United States 1784 1894
This site from the Library of Congress provides links to the original land cession deals between Indians and the Federal Government are provided. Search for documents can be accomplished by searching for Indian tribe, state/territory, or...
US Census Bureau
U. S. Census Bureau: People of Arab Descent
This report, based on the 2005 Census, details the distribution of people of Arab descent based on gender, age, marital status, country of birth, English-speaking ability, educational attainment, employment status, poverty level/family...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Connecticut Constitution, 1639 1789
Develops the concept of "constitutionalism" as related to the U.S. Constitution and Connecticut's role in the Constitutional Congress and Convention. An overview of Connecticut's colonial history, and judicial origins and organization,...
Digital History
Digital History: By What Right [Pdf]
Two opposing philosophies concerning the relationship between government and its citizens were expressed by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in the 17th century. Compare these two philosophies and see how they were related to the colonists'...
A&E Television
History.com: How the u.s. Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787
Through amendments and legal rulings, the Constitution has transformed in some critical ways. The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, is the world's longest-surviving written...