The 13th Amendment was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, but not ratified until December 6, 1865. This article provides an explanation and summary of the 13th Amendment or Fugitive Slave Clause that abolished slavery.

In chart form, review the major differences between the political ideas of the Federalists and the Antifederalists, including a comparison on the nature of representation, sovereignty, legislative deliberation, governmental legitimacy,...

James Madison's slight stature and reserved personality gave little indication of his keen intellect and shrewd nature. No other Founder had as much influence in crafting, ratifying, and interpreting the United States Constitution and...

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...

A map of the United States showing the progression of suffrage prior to the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution, ratified on August 18, 1920. "The map shows the status of women suffrage, or the right of women to vote on an equality...

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.

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

Text of the 23rd Amendment and accompanying explanation in Annenberg Classroom Civics Education site.

A good biography of John Dickinson (1732-1808 CE). He was one of the delegates to the Constitutional convention from Delaware. He was a strong supporter of the new Constitution and as a result, Delaware became the first state to ratify...

A map from 1898 of Rhode Island, "One of the thirteen original States and smallest in the Union; supposed temporary settlement of Icelanders as early as 1000. Settled by Roger Williams at Providence 1636. Island of Aquidneck (Rhode...

A map from 1898 of New Hampshire and Vermont. "New Hampshire, one of the thirteen original States. Settled by English Puritans at Dover and Portsmouth 1623. Named for Hampshire County, England, called the 'Granite State.’ Ratified United...