Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: State Constitutions
The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution
The delegates to the Constititional Convention produced a new governing document for the new United States. Read about how they determined to take the ratification process to the people of the states.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Centralized vs. Decentralized Rule: The Articles of Confederation
Activity comparing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. Using a variety of articles, students research and create a chart with explanations and critical comparisons of the two governing documents.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Antifederalists' Victory in Defeat
By 1788 eleven states ratified the Constitution, more than enough to put it into effect as the document establishing rules for the nation. Read about the goals of the Federalists in estabilishing a national government and find out how...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: After the Fact: Virginia, New Yok, and "The Federalist Papers"
Read about the necessity for Virginia and New York to support the ratification of the Constitution. See what influenced the vote in Virginia and how the legislature of New York was finally convinced.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tough Issues
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony
Read a brief description of the Pilgrims' journey to North America. Find out how many travelers on the Mayflower were actually Pilgrims, and find out why a mistake in navigation led to the first written constitution in the New World.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Circling the Bill of Rights
This is a hands-on, inquiry project to create a 3-D graphic organizer for the research and study of the Bill of Rights. It may be a stand-alone activity or may be included as part of a unit of study on the Constitution. Students will...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Bill of Rights
The Constitution spelled out the powers of the national government, but many Anti-federalists felt there should be equally explicit a guarantee of individual rights. Read about the compiliation of what became known as the Bill of Rights...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Ratification Process: State by State
The ratification of the Constitution was placed at the hands of the state legislatures. Read about which states supported the ratification, which were opposed, and why. Find out why, even after the requisite number of states had voted...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Who Will You Back? (The First American Political Parties)
Students will produce an illustrated documentary on one of the first two American political parties.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: George Washington: The First Administration
Read about George Washington's presidency. See why his role was so important in setting precedents to be followed by future chief executives. Find out about some of the warts in his personality too, all of which made him more human.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Societal Impacts of the American Revolution
A look at how the ideals of the American Revolution shaped the new American Republic. Many ideals were not implemented immediately but the seed had been planted.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Iroquois Tribes
The Iroquois were a group of five tribes linked by their language and similar culture. Read about why the Iroquois were such a great example of the elevated role of women in the tribes, the complex lifestyle they had, and their political...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The South Carolina Nullification Controversy
The nullification controversy began as an economic dispute between north and south. See how the question about tariffs resulted in a states' rights issue in South Carolina. Read about what President Andrew Jackson was going to do about...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Election of 1860
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was a watershed moment for the union of the country. Read about the political conventions, several candidates, and the votes that were split among them. Find a map that shows how the electoral...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Westward Expansion: The Louisiana Purchase
Read about the fortuitous purchase made that doubled the size of the United States. See why Napoleon was willing to sell the land, and find out about the quandary Thomas Jefferson was in as he had to go against his strict construction...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Sixth Amendment
This resource contains the text of the 6th amendment. It has several pages of annotations covering the major concepts in the rights of the accused.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Eighth Amendment Further Guarantees in Criminal Cases [Pdf]
This resource provides the various court rulings as to what has been interpreted as "excessive bail", etc.
Other
First Amendment Center
This First Amendment site, partly news and partly background, contains information related to all the aspects of the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: The Electoral Process
Twice a month you can play a new crossword puzzle on The New York Times Learning Network. This one is called "The Electoral Process."
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Constitution: The Work Begins
Discover how the Constitution was initiated and read about the Constitutional Congress. After learning about the beginning stages of the Constitution, take a quiz to show your learning.
Other
Us Congress: Congress, the Court, and the Constitution
Transcript of a congressional hearing, held in 1994, to discuss whether Congress had given too much power to the Supreme Court, against the express intent of the Founding Fathers. This transcript is lengthy but informative, containing...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Signing the Constitution
This site has a brief summary that describes the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This group is sometimes called the "Founding Fathers."
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