Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
Library of Congress
Loc: Farrand's Records: Randolph's Suggestion for Conciliating
Read Randolph's actual words from the Library of Congress in his proposal and reaction to the New Jersey Plan for solving the representation question in Congress, as recorded by James Madison at the Federal Constitutional Convention.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Oliver Ellsworth (1745 1807)
Biography of Oliver Ellsworth who represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress and also was a promoter of the Connecticut Compromise.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Thomas Mifflin (1744 1800)
A short biographical sketch of Mifflin that provides details about his life and his relationship with the University of Pennsylvania.
Other
Chancellor John Ten Eyck Lansing, Jr.
A very nice site on the life of Lansing. It presents several biographical sketches plus many pictures.
University of North Carolina
Unc: Reminiscences & Memoirs of John H. Wheeler
The full text of John Wheeler's memoirs (478 pages) in which he writes a history of North Carolina by talking about its famous citizens. He has a lengthy section on Richard Dobbs Spaight, Sr. in which he discusses his life and how he...
Other
Digital Maryland: Letter From Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer to Johnson 1788
This is a file of an actual letter written by Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer to the governor of Maryland, Thomas Johnson. The letter is dated Nov. 11, 1788 and is three pages long. Some notes on the letter are also provided.
US National Archives
Docsteach: To Sign or Not to Sign
Students will consider the arguments made by members of the Continental Congress regarding whether or not to sign the Declaration of Independence. They will also have the opportunity to analyze each section of the Declaration to...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
Other
Gunston Hall Plantation: Mason Objects
In this set of activities, students learn what George Mason's objections were to the U.S. Constitution. They then evaluate them through a class discussion and divide into groups to hold a debate about the disagreement between the...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: Unit Test
Take this eleven question unit test over US history during the period of 1754 and 1800.
US National Archives
Nara: American Originals
A collection of important documents highlighting events in United States history. These at one point were on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. Each document is accompanied by a short description of its significance.
University of Michigan
Making of America: Woman and Her Wishes, by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Thomas Wentworth Higginson addresss the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention in favor of woman suffrage in this 1853 pamphlet.
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: Voting Rights
This website contains an interactive timeline about the history of voting rights in the United States.
Other
Gunston Hall Plantation: "The Great Business Now Before Us"
In 1787, America was having big problems. There was no single type of money, or currency, in the new nation. States were arguing over trade issues and local boundaries. Each state seemed to see itself as independent and self-governing...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: The War of 1812
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes the War of 1812 from the first battle of the U.S.S. Constitution to the Battle of New Orleans. It includes paintings of the major battles and important participants, as well as...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Women's Suffrage at Last
Trace the history of the women's suffrage movement from its organized beginnings in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention to the final success with the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which constitutionally granted women the right vote.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Richard Dobbs Spaight, Sr. 1758 1802
Spaight was born at New Bern, NC of distinquished English-Irish parentage in 1758. When he was orphaned at 8 years of age, his guardians sent him to Ireland, where he obtained an excellent education. He apparently graduated from...
This Nation
This nation.com: Letter of Transmittal
This site provides the letter of the president of the Federal Convention to the president of Congress, transmitting the Constitution.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: George T. Ruby
Read about George T. Ruby, an African American politician from Texas during Reconstruction.
Stanford University
Sheg: Reading Like a Historian: Federalists & Anti Federalists
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students solve a problem surrounding a historical question by reading primary source documents. This historical inquiry lesson allows students to read Federalist and Anti-Federalist positions from the...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: William Paterson
This resource features a detailed biography on the politician from New Jersey who advocated for states' rights.