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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Antifederalists

For Students 5th - 8th
The Anti-federalists, those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, were a diverse group. They did have specific fears about carrying out the precepts of the Constitution. Read about their fears, especially the main one, no...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Hamilton and Jefferson the Men and Their Philosophies [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton played a huge role not only in crafting important documents in U.S. history, but also by serving as secretaries in George Washington's first cabinet. Read about their diametrically opposing...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: u.s. Constitution and the Idea of Compromise (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, examine many of the opposing viewpoints held by founding fathers as they considered various compromises that made the U.S. Constitution possible, including the three-fifths compromise made to placate slave-owning states.
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Interactive
New York Times

New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: u.s. Congress

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The New York Times Learning Network has developed many interactive & printable crossword puzzles. This one is on the U.S. Congress.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Enrich learning about the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights with the help of this comprehensive resource. Find details about the amendments added to the new national document.
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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: The Marshall Cases

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of landmark Supreme Court cases presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall, that decided questions of how to interpret the U.S. Constitution. The cases took place between 1801 and 1825.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: The Documentary Origins of the Bill of Rights I

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore both the British and state influences on the U.S. Bill of Rights. Understand the origins of each amendment to the Constitution.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: The Federalist/antifederalist Debate Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Identify the role of the debates between the Federalists and Antifederalists during the creation of the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: The Politics of the Bill of Rights: Part Iii

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: We the People

For Teachers 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Constitution of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Unit Plan
Ducksters

Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Constitution

For Students 3rd - 5th
Read about the history of the United States Constitution, then try the multiple-choice quiz. Includes an audio narration of the text and a link to a biography of James Madison, as well as links to other resources.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution

For Students 5th - 8th
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.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: State Constitutions

For Students 5th - 8th
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.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Growing Opposition

For Students 5th - 8th
George Washington's cabinet had strong personalities with often opposing opinions. Read about the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in regard to Hamilton's financial policies for the new country. See why these...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Election of 1860

For Students 5th - 8th
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...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: An Uneasy Peace

For Students 5th - 8th
See what turmoil resulted from the acquisition of new territory after the Mexican-American War. There was great disagreement between those who wanted to abolish slavery and those who wanted to be able to carry slavery into the new lands....
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Iroquois Tribes

For Students 5th - 8th
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...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Unsettled Domestic Issues

For Students 5th - 8th
The new United States government faced many threats to its success. Read this overview of the possible problems.
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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...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Societal Impacts of the American Revolution

For Students 5th - 8th
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.
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Handout
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Historic Valley Forge: Major General Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of Alexander Hamilton containing information on his military service during the American Revolution as well as his later life in politics.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Benjamin Franklin Timeline

For Students 3rd - 8th
Independence Hall Association features an easy-to-read timeline offering a wealth of information about Franklin's life.
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eBook
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Dickinson

For Students 9th - 10th
A good biography of John Dickinson (1732-1808 CE). He was one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware. He was a strong supporter of the new Constitution and as a result, Delaware became the first state to ratify...
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Handout
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Richard Dobbs Spaight

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of this delegate from North Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. He was a strong federalist and helped with persuading North Carolina to endorse the new constitution. He later served as a Congressman.