CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: Founding the United States
This is a collection of 15 Grade-Leveled texts (5-12) on the topic The Founding of America. Once the Revolutionary War was over, America's Founding Fathers had to develop a nation. Learn about the founding of American democracy, from the...
Library of Congress
Loc: Religion and Founding of American Republic: Religion and the Congress of the Confederation
This site from the Library of Congress offers descriptions of multiple events, people and beliefs that helped shape the government and culture of the U.S. Links to views of historical documents and pictures depicting the religious...
Digital History
Digital History: Religious Freedom and the Founders
Read the background for the Founding Fathers' support of freedom of religion and separation of church and state. Included are parts of letters in which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson celebrate the fact that the United States was...
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: The Role of the House
Why did the founding fathers create two separate chambers in Congress - the House of Representatives and Senate? Find out the reasons for the dual chamber and the responsibilities of each one. Included is a glossary and printable puzzles...
iCivics
I Civics: The Enlightenment Mini Lesson
The Enlightenment was a period of time, starting around 1715, when people developed new ideas about human existence, including people's basic rights and the purpose of government. When our Founding Fathers created a government for the...
Other
Neatline: The Digital Declaration of Independence
An interactive Declaration of Independence. Passages of the original document are accompanied by typed text, and each founding father has a biography, a portrait, and a map showing where they are from.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Living the Revolution: America, 1789 1820: Politics
Primary source materials from the post-Revolutionary War period in America, 1789-1820, which depict the sense of politics in a newly formed nation with a developing national identity. Includes reading guide, questions for discussion and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Journals of the Continental Congress
These journals from the Continental Congress of the United States will provide students with a greater understanding of the foundations of American government as established in the late 18th century. Includes handwritten documents by...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Thomas Jefferson Won the Election
The election of 1801 shaped the way we elect our president today, as Congress adopted the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution. Features portraits of Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
A brief review of the life of one of the founding fathers of the United States. Learn about the important events in the life of Ben Franklin - inventor, patriot, musician, scientist, statesman, and more. (In Spanish)
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government
A brief overview of the origins of the three branches of the federal government, with links to more in-depth information about each branch. Also discusses the concerns of the Founding Fathers about creating a government that had...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: John Jay
This article chronicles the life of John Jay, one of America's founding fathers and the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. Includes a portrait and illustrations.
US National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration: Founders Online
This site provides the texts of nearly 200,000 historical documents related to six Founding Fathers, including the papers of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. The...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Founding Fathers' Notions of Religious Liberty (Lesson Plan)
Explore founders' views, particularly the views of George Washington, on the role of religion and religious liberty in public life. Includes excerpts from Washington's writings and speeches to give students opportunities to include...
PBS
Citizen Ben: Founding Father
As part of a larger site about the extraordinary Benjamin Franklin, this section focuses on his being one of founding fathers of the new United States of America. Read about the three major documents he signed as a delegate and diplomat.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Patrick Henry
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Patrick Henry, famous patriot and one of the Founding Fathers of America.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Founding Fathers: Edmund Randolph
The major focus of this site is Randolph's role in the creation of the Constitution and his views on the structure of the executive branch of government.
Digital History
Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf]
Read about why ratification of the United States' new constitution was such a struggle. Find arguments for and against ratification, and discover who supported the Federalist position and who the Anti-Federalist position. [PDF]
Other
Institute for American Liberty: The First Principles of the Constitution [Pdf]
This article contains information about the principles used to create the Constitution of the United States.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 is explained in kid-friendly terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links and some activities are included. The rest of the site has lots more information on the US government.
Other
Constitution Facts
How much do you really know about the most important document in United States' history? Take the quiz and test your knowledge. If you need some additional information, click on the US Constitution and Amendments tab and play the...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Grolier: Thomas Jefferson
A thorough biography of one of the founding fathers of America, Thomas Jefferson.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Our New Nation
After studying the American Revolutionary War, learners learn about the founding of the United States of America. Pretending to be the founding fathers, students will divide into small groups to create and design their own nation and...
Other
Are We a Democracy or a Republic?
An essay on the present political state in America contending the country is leaning further towards a republican form of government instead of a democracy. Defines and explains the major differences between democracy and republicanism...