iCivics
I Civics: Changing the Constitution
America's constitutional government has changed over time as a result of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, legislation, and other practices. Students will use the seven basic principles found in our government...
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.
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: The Bill of Rights
This site contains a complete transcription of The Bill of Rights, along with zoomable graphics of the original handwritten text. It also includes information about the historical context of the document, links to more constitutional...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
This Supreme Court case dealt with the issue of contraception. View the the Supreme Court opinion as delivered by Justice Douglas.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: U S. Constitution: Annotation 18: First Amendment
Information about the boundaries of seditious speech and the permissibility of governmental measures which are directly concerned with the content of expression.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Constitution: Women's Right to Vote
Information and activities that underscore the significance of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which legalized women's right to vote.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Passage of the 19th Amendment
This site from the Modern History Sourcebook of Fordham University comprises a series of articles from the New York Times detailing the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in Congress and the battle to get the...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Annotation 10: Sixth Amendment: Assistance to Council
This article uses specific court cases to show how the right to counsel at trial was developed into the present day standard.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Constitution Amendments
Kids learn about the amendments in the United States Constitution. Seventeen not included in the Bill of Rights of the twenty-seven total.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Twenty Sixth Amendment
This resource provides the text and a summary of the 26th Amendment (Reduction of Voting Age Qualification).
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
This encyclopedia article explains what it means to plead the Fifth, and provides an excerpt from the Fifth Amendment.
Other
Alice Paul Institute: The Equal Rights Amendment
This site contains the history of the amendment, an action update, strategy, supporters, and more.
University of Texas at Austin
Philosophy of Law: Discrimination and the 14th Amendment
This page is an outline of a college lecture that carefully explains the phrasing and interpretations of the 14th Amendment.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Bill of Rights (1791)
An interactive experience with the Bill of Rights. The Our Documents group allows you to view a copy of the original Bill of Rights. There is a brief information section along with links to larger images, a typed transcript, and...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Radical Reconstruction
Read about the frustration the Radical Republicans in Congress had with the Reconstruction plans of Andrew Johnson. Find out what legislation they were able to pass over Johnson's veto, and how they attempted to protect emancipated...
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 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...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Federalist/antifederalist Debate Bill of Rights
Identify the role of the debates between the Federalists and Antifederalists during the creation of the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Politics of the Bill of Rights: Part Iii
Investigate what the politics were leading to the creation of the Bill of Rights. Identify how the debates in the first congress led to the stages of approval and ultimately the adoption of the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)
Provides a brief summary and the text of Chief Justice Brennan's opinion of the Supreme Court in this case involving libel.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Grovey v. Townsend (1935)
Read all about this Supreme Court case involving Negro voting rights in 1935. Features text of the majority opinion of the court.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...
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.