Curated OER
English Constitutional Monarchy
Whether you are teaching British Literature, British History, or are simply interested in the history of English politics, this presentation takes the viewer on a journey through 600 years of England's royal and political upheavals....
Curated OER
The Evolution of Human Rights in Modern Europe - Document Analysis
Students read and analyze three major documents in European history related to articulation of human rights, noting key principles, identify significant similarities and new concepts, and discuss application to contemporary issues in...
Other
Lesson Plans for Teaching the First Amendment
This FreedomForum.org site lists the three English documents that were precursors to the American Bill of Rights.
Yale University
Yale Law School: Resolutions of the Continental Congress, 1765
Contains the primary text of the resolutions against the Stamp Act sent to King George III.
Yale University
The Avalon Project: The English Bill of Rights 1689
An electronic version of the original English Bill of Rights, written in 1689, which influenced the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, and laid the basis for American Democracy and common law.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Colonists: What Were They Thinking?
This tutorial looks at the British political traditions that influenced the American colonists as they gained their independence from Britain and created their own form of government. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Documentary Origins of the Bill of Rights I
Explore both the British and state influences on the U.S. Bill of Rights. Understand the origins of each amendment to the Constitution.
iCivics
I Civics: Colonial Influences
Where did the American colonists get their ideas that lead to a revolution and a whole new kind of government? This lesson explores the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato's Letters, and Common Sense.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Frontier Fosters Self Reliance
Based on the theory that because the King had given the colonists so many freedoms, and he had problems on the home-front, the colonists' will was strengthened. This contributed to the Revolution. There are links to Virginia's First...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Emergence of Colonial Government
Detailed essay which shows how colonial self-government developed prior to the Revolutionary War.
This Nation
This nation.com: Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress
This site provides the full text of the resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives some background history to the creation of the Bill of Rights and contains a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: American Political Writing James Otis
This site discusses the political writings of James Otis concerning the British authority to search for smuggled goods with writs of assistance. Otis argued they were the worst violation of English liberties. This site contains quotes...
Digital History
Digital History: The Emergence of New Ideas About Personal Liberties
American colonists expected to have "English rights" as supported by the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. See how these rights were applied in the trial of John Peter Zenger, whose acquittal reflected the right of freedom of...
Other
Colonial America: Life in Colonial America
Here's a site with lots of information written by middle school students. Click on English Colonial Life, then Development of Self-Government for more information on government of the colonies.
W. W. Norton
W.w. Norton & Company: English Bill of Rights (Extracts): Chapter 23
Read thirteen extracts from the English Bill of Rights covering limitation of the royal authority, empowering Parliament to levy taxes, and establishing legislative representation.