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PPT
Savvas Learning

Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What is a political party, and what major parties exist in American politics today? How did the party system develop in American history, and how are parties organized? These questions and many other details regarding the political party...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Ratifying the Constitution

For Students 8th - 12th
After a lecture on ratifying the Constitution, this worksheet would be perfect to reinforce your government (or U.S. History) students' new knowledge. The activity contains ten knowledge-level and comprehension-level questions. This...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Louisiana Purchase

For Students 7th - 9th
In this Historical Facts instructional activity, learners read a passage about the Louisiana Purchase and answer 8 fill in the blank and 7 true/false questions.
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Politics! Politics! The Emergence of Political Parties in the U.S.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are split into six small groups which focus on one of six websites, that tell the story of the emergence of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties at the end of the 18th century. They compile a chronological list...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Struggle Over Centralized Power

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a classroom simulation to discover the issues facing those who formed the new U.S. government. They compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Using resource sheets and working in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Last Abortion Clinic: Key Constitutional Issues of the Abortion Debate

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the Constitution of the United States and its amendments, then apply this discussion by creating a "Who should Decide What?" list, based upon their ideas about whether controversial issues such as abortion and medical...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Worksheet #61 Questions - James Madison

For Students 8th - 9th
In this James Madison historical term quiz, students define the meaning of several terms relating to the aforementioned topic in order to advance their historical knowledge.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Two: The Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners identify Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed, explain argument over need for Bill of Rights in Constitution and James Madison's role in securing it's adoption, and compare and contrast ideas of Federalists and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Federalist #10

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students read the Federalist #10. In groups, they discuss the meaning of each paragraph. Afterward, students write a summary exploring the important arguments of the paper. Students explore the historical significance of the document.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Has the Power?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the concept of federalism and the purpose of government. How government powers are acquired, used, justified, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens are investigated in this lesson.
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Article
University of Groningen

American History: Presidents: James Madison: Proposed Amendments to Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of James Madison's "Proposed Amendments to the Constitution," June 8, 1789. Madison states his reasons for the amendments in view of the anti-federalist feelings in many of the colonies. The proposal explains in Madison's own words...
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Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

For Students 9th - 10th
This bigraphy details the life of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney from his childhood to his time as a lawyer and politician, particularly his time as ambassador to France.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: President John Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed biography of John Adams' life prior to the American Revolution, beginning with his childhood with sections on all the important periods of his life. Site also includes texts of the inaugural address, state of the union addresses...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Jeffersonians in Office [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a great overview of both the Jefferson Administration and the Madison administration. Read about the Louisiana Purchase, trade problems, the War of 1812, and the downfall of the Federalists. A great resource. [pdf]
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr's Duel

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS Online offers a page on the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in Weehawken, New Jersey. Includes image.
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Unit Plan
Tom Richey

Tom Richey: The Jeffersonian Republic (1800 1820)

For Students 9th - 10th
A nation which decides to pay attention to the Federalist Papers in the aftermath of the "Revolution of 1800" is the topic of the unit in American history. Explore videos, primary sources, and lessons to enhance study of the Jeffersonian...
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Primary
Yale University

Library of Congress: The Federalist Papers, No.41

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a copy of Federalist Paper No. 41, authored by James Madison, in which he clearly defines the need to identify and restrain the power of the general government and then addresses the need to distribute that power among the branches.
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Primary
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Alexander Hamilton Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
This excellent biography of Alexander Hamilton is part of the University of Missouri's "Famous Trials" site. With text links to personal letters and other documents written by Hamilton.
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Article
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Alexander Hamilton from the documentary program AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Duel, produced by PBS.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: "Out of Doors": Ratification Debate in Public Press

For Students 9th - 10th
Find details of the Federalists and Antifederalists views of the proposed U.S. Constitution. Peruse the activists and legacies representing both sides of the debates.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: Federalist Antifederalist Debates

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive resource enriching studies of the debates over the new Constitution includes biographies, timelines, Federalists and Antifederalists.
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Website
Teaching American History

Teaching American History: The Federalists

For Students 9th - 10th
Go in-depth with studying The Federalist and those who contributed to it. What was the goal of the Federalists?
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Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison: Campaigns and Elections

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll through this article to find an account of the election of 1812 in which James Madison was running as the first war president.
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Primary
University of Pennsylvania

Project Gutenberg.: Memoirs of Aaron Burr, With Correspondence

For Students 9th - 10th
Project Gutenberg offers the complete text of Aaron Burr's correspondence online in plain text format.