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.
Read Works
Read Works: u.s. Presidents James Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: American Government James Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage contains biographical information on "Father of the United States Constitution" and former United States President, James Madison. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece...
Other
Left Justified: Founding Fathers
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: James Madison
This easy-to-navigate site has James Madison's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Founding Fathers
This site provides a very brief description of three of the founding fathers of the Constitution: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. The site provides links to further biographies of all three men as well as...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Bill of Rights" by James Madison
A learning module that begins with "The Bill of Rights" by James Madison, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher...
Library of Congress
Loc: Ferrand's Records: Records of the Federal Convention
A large collection of chronological links to the text of the official records of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: George Washington: Farwell Address
Although he surely could have remained in office longer, George Washington served only two terms in office. Read about his Farewell Address, one of the important speeches in American history. He gave advice concerning both national and...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Federalist Papers
In the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay made the case for ratifying the new US Constitution.
Library of Congress
Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Madison, James, Jr. 1751 1836
Biographical information on the political career of James Madison, a Delegate and a Representative from Virginia and 4th President of the United States.
National First Ladies' Library
National First Ladies' Library: Dolley Madison
Biographical essay on Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison. Delves into her early years, her family and marriage, the White House years, and her later life.
Other
Potus: James Madison
Comprehensive facts about James Madison and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1808
Online resource that provides electoral data for the presidential election of 1808 won by James Madison.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1812
Online resource that provides detailed electoral data for the presidential election of 1812 won by James Madison.
Digital History
Digital History: Was the Constitutional Convention Legal?
A look at the convening of a Constitutional Convention to address the problems inherent in the Articles of Confederation. Read a quote from George Washington, who addressed the legality of such a convention.
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Score: Debate on Ratification
Students become one of the famous men who argued for or against ratification of the Constitution. They research and present their argumets to the class, who will then vote whether or not to ratify the new Constitution.
University of Florida
Freedom of Speech: The First Amendment and the u.s. Constitution
Interactive site outlines thoughts on the First Amendment from four founding fathers. Click on their faces to find an index reflecting their thoughts. From a student project at University of Florida.
Other
The Dolley Madison Page: The Burning of Washington
Some brief biographical information is given here plus an excerpt from a letter written by Dolley Madison to her sister.
Other
Galafilm: War of 1812: The Treaty of Ghent
This resource describes the Treaty of Ghent, and the perspectives of the British, the Americans and First Nations.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: bartleby.com: Presidential Inaugural Address: James Madison Second
Review a transcript of James Madison's second inaugural address given on March 4, 1813. Includes a short introduction that explains the state of affairs in the country at the time.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: bartleby.com: Presidential Inaugural Address: James Madison: First
Review the text of the speech given by James Madison on March 4, 1809, at his first inauguration.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: American Presidency: James Madison
Brief biographical sketch of America's fourth president includes background information on the era in which he served and linked-to objects from the Smithsonian's collections that help define the man and his presidency.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Diplomatic Challenges in an Age of European War
Both the British and French challenged American sovereignty and neutrality on the high seas. Read about the solution favored by Thomas Jefferson, but despised by the American shippers. See why this a cause of the War of 1812, along with...