iCivics
Limiting Government
While this instructional activity includes several nice worksheets to identify and discuss the various limits on government (i.e. a constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, consent of the governed, etc.), its main value lies...
University of Chicago
U. Of Chicago/ Popular Basis of Political Authority
Excerpts from John Locke's famous 1689 work "Two Treatises of Government" where he discusses his political ideas that came to influence the U.S. Revolutionaries.
Indiana University
Maurer School of Law: The Declaration of Independence
Full text of the Declaration of Independence, with signers from each state and links to related information.
Digital History
Digital History: The Puritan Idea of the Covenant
John Wintrhop's idea of the value of a covenant in social relations that was reflected in the development of the Puritan community.
PBS
Pbs: Rediscovering George Washington
Discussion lesson plan that introduces and examines the concept of government by consent of the governed. Includes a reading for class distribution and references to primary source documents.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: When Does the Revolution End?
An interesting discussion of the precepts of the Declaration of Independence which claimed that all men were created equal, but still allowed slavery. See what the document had to say about people's rights and "the consent of the governed."
iCivics
I Civics: The Enlightenment Mini Lesson
The Enlightenment was a period of time, starting around 1715, when people developed new ideas about human existence, including people's basic rights and the purpose of government. When our Founding Fathers created a government for the...
iCivics
I Civics: Limiting Government
Explore the five basic limits on government through the true story of Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, and other fictional cases of government power gone wild.
Philosophy Pages
Philosophy Pages: John Locke (1632 1704)
This site offers a brief biography of philosopher John Locke and highlights of his accomplishments. The summary traces the development of his political beliefs through contrast with other writers of his time. Site includes a bibliography...