Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Monroe

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives a biography of President James Monroe. From the left-hand toolbar, select information about his life before presidency, campaigns and elections, and also domestic affairs. Links to the first lady, cabinet members , and...
Article
PBS

Pbs Liberty!: Independence! Philadelphia 1776

For Students 6th - 8th
The newspaper layout makes it simple to read the accounts of the reaction to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The article includes valuable links including an introduction to Thomas Paine and his role in this event.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
A great in-depth biography of John Adams. Topics include: his life before the presidency, campaigns and elections, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and life after the presidency. Links to the first lady, his Cabinet members, and Staff...
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Articles of Confederation (1777)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The Our Documents group presents information on the Articles of Confederation, including its history, an enlarged image of the document, and a printer-friendly version of the text. Includes PDFs (require Adobe Reader).
Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: Causes of American Revolution: Soldiers and Civilians at War

For Teachers 5th
In this lesson, 5th graders look at causes and consequences of the American Revolution, at nations and individuals that impacted the outcome, at the roles women played, and at how the war affected families, economics, and the...
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Outline of American History Coercive Acts

For Students 9th - 10th
This essay provides information about the First Continental Congress which was called as a result of the passage of the Coercive Acts.
Graphic
Curated OER

Etc: Maps Etc: Accessions to the Principal of Independence, 1776

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of the Thirteen Colonies color-coded to show the accessions to the principal of Independence before July 2, 1776. The map shows when the colonial delegates to the Continental Congress were instructed to vote on the Declaration of...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: American Memory: A Century of Law Making for a New Nation

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site provides a collection of U.S. Congressional documents and debates from 1774 to 1873.
Handout
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Fordham University provides the first Declaration in modern times which Jefferson read and used as a model for writing the Declaration of Independence - the Dutch Revolution encouraged the Continental Congress to act. Read...
Website
A&E Television

History.com: Thomas Jefferson Videos: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
A video featuring the Declaration of Independence. Tom Brokaw addresses why the Continental Congress found the need for the revolutionary document. [4:00]
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: June 14: Flag Day

For Students 9th - 10th
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. This resource from American Memory has lots of primary source material about the day and the flag. Read in the journals of the Continental Congress which designates the design of our first national...
Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: John Witherspoon

For Students 9th - 10th
He was a father figure to America's Founders. A renowned theologian from Scotland, John Witherspoon educated many young men who became prominent leaders of the Founding generation. He went on to embrace the revolutionary cause. He signed...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Constitutional Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
George Washington wrote of the period between the Treaty of Paris and the writing of the Constitution that the states were united only by a "rope of sand."Disputes between Maryland and Virginia over navigation on the Potomac River led to...
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Creating a Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief article on the efforts of Charles Pinckney along with others to amend The Articles of Confederation. Includes links to original text of unsuccessful amendments to The Articles of Confederation
Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Articles of Confederation Adopted Nov. 15, 1777

For Students 3rd - 5th
This informative and easy-to-read site contains information about how the United States formed its first government under the Articles of Confederation. From the Library of Congress
Website
Robin Chew

Samuel Adams: American Patriot & Politician

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a brief overview of the life of Samuel Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Links to other resources about Adams are included.
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Lee Resolution (1776)

For Students 9th - 10th
The Our Documents group offers information on Richard Henry Lee's 1776 resolution proposing colonial independence. See the original document, read the transcript, and download a printer-friendly version.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Liberty!: Benedict Arnold's Leg

For Students 9th - 10th
The PBS program "Liberty!" notes Saratoga National Historic Park's monument to Benedict Arnold's leg. A brief, partial biography of Benedict Arnold covers the significance behind the monument, as well as the events that followed Arnold's...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Making Rules

For Students 5th - 8th
Follow the incremental process that the colonial leaders took over a ten-year period of time making new rules that would finally result in independence from Great Britain. See how many of them really didn't plan on independence, but that...
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Daniel Leonard (1740 1829)

For Students 9th - 10th
This article tells of a prominent Massachusetts lawyer who wrote a series of letters expressing the Loyalist point of view.
Website
Other

Thomas Jefferson

For Students 9th - 10th
Citizendium is similar to Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia where the public edits articles. In this article, an overview of Jefferson's life and political views are provided.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Richard Henry Lee

For Students 9th - 10th
Good, introductory biography from the University of Groningen of Richard Henry Lee and the Lee family. Text provides hyperlinks to related information.