Robin Chew
Samuel Adams: American Patriot & Politician
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.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Federal Versus State Government
Learning Adventure teaches about the differences between federal and state governments as written in the Constitution and shares reasons the founding fathers wanted it this way.
iCivics
I Civics: A Dive Into Democracy
The Founding Fathers had many influences. Discover how aspects of Athenian democracy shaped the structure and ideals of the U.S. government.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is a Republican Government?
The founding fathers studied different forms of government throughout history to come up with the best form of government for our new nation. They decided a republic suited our nation the best. Find out the advantages of this type of...
iCivics
I Civics: Montesquieu Mini Lesson
Meet the Baron de Montesquieu, one of the great thinkers of the 18th century. He spent a lot of time thinking about how governments should be created and maintained. These ideas guided the Founding Fathers when they wrote the...
Other
Schoolhouse Rock: The Preamble
This site from Schoolhouse Rock, History Rock, provides the lyrics to a song called The Preamble. Need to learn the Preamble and what it means? This catchy tune from the popular 1970s cartoon series, Schoolhouse Rock, will help you to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men
In this lesson plan, young scholars will consider "Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Other
Liberty Online: Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
Full text of the "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" (1775) speech by Patrick Henry.
Other
American Presidents: John Adams
List of facts about John Adams and his presidency, with links to additional information, including the text of his inaugural address and a letter to Thomas Jefferson.
Other
University of Virginia: Jefferson on Agriculture
This collection from the University of Virginia provides quotes and information on Jefferson's writings about Agriculture.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: George Washington as Chairman
Overview of the significant contributions of George Washington and his importance as an early leader in forming the U.S. government.
Other
University of Delware: Franklin and Friends
Using historically significant documents and photos from its collection, this exhibit probes the various interests of Franklin and the influential friends that shared his interests.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Themes: Honor & Courage: What Makes a Hero?
This is a collection of Grade-Leveled texts (3-12) to address the question, "What makes a hero?" Select a grade level and a collection of on grade-level reading passages on the topic comes up. [Free account registration required for...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Who Am I? (Portrait Puzzler)
Match the portraits of eight famous Americans who played major roles in the American Revolution with their famous deeds. A short exercise that can be used by individual learners to test their understanding of basic U.S. history content...
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: John Adams
This easy-to-navigate site has John Adams' biography, a timeline detailing some of the significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
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...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Richard Henry Lee
Richard Henry Lee in many ways personified the elite Virginia gentry. A planter and slaveholder, he was tall, handsome, and genteel in his manners. Raised in a conservative environment, Lee was nonetheless radical in his social and...
Other
Historical Narratives of Early Canada: One Kingdom Divisible
This web page examines Benjamin Franklin, the Boston Tea Party, First Continental Congress, and the Second Continental Congress in 1775, where Canadians were invited to attend. Learn more about the flow of revolution and loyalty on each...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Charles Carroll
Charles Carroll is primarily remembered today for his political leadership in Maryland during the Revolutionary era. A wealthy planter, Carroll became a major figure in the patriot movement in 1773 when he penned the First Citizen...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Roger Sherman
Although not the most charismatic or eloquent Founder, Roger Sherman was highly esteemed by his contemporaries. At Sherman's death, Ezra Stiles, president of Yale College, wrote, "He was an extraordinary man-a venerable uncorrupted...
Other
American Revolution: Those Glorious "Principles of 1776": Confederate Perspective
This site explains the Southern perspective on the voluntary union of states and the justification for the South seceding from the Union.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Adams
Short, overweight, and quick-tongued, John Adams hardly fits the model of the typical Founder. But Adams's contributions to American independence and the formation of the United States government were great. Adams penned defenses of...