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Primary
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Federalist No. 78

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy includes the full text of Alexander Hamilton's Federalist No. 78, one of the Federalist Papers. This lesson is intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics...
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Unit Plan
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Alexander Hamilton represented the growing movement towards a strong national government. Read the beginning stages of the nationalist movement, the conflicting ideas of state...
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Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents links for different parts of George Mason's life. Information about his life includes links to relevant topics.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Age of Social Change [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the text of James Madison's tenth Federalist paper in which he expresses the idea of how government can provide the need for stability that citizens require. [pdf]
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about why ratification of the United States' new constitution was such a struggle. Find arguments for and against ratification, and discover who supported the Federalist position and who the Anti-Federalist position. [PDF]
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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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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: A New Kind of Federalism

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the reasons and purposes of a Federalist government in which federal and state governments share concurrent powers as proposed and outlined in the Federalist Papers.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Checks and Balances

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Overview of the principle of checks and balances proposed in the Federalist Papers.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Human Nature, Government and Individual Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview discussion of the views held by Madison and Hamilton that people, in general, need to have written into the law certain checks and balances to guard against abuse of power, protect individual rights and encompass a pluralistic...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Separation of Powers

For Students 9th - 10th
Informative discussion of the ideas behind the Constitutional principle of Separation of Powers.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Ratifying the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
After the Constitution was written, debated, and finally adopted by the Constitutional Convention, it was sent to the states to ratify. Read about the fears of those who did not want to ratify it and see how their fears were addressed.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
Other

Founding Fathers

For Students 9th - 10th
Find information about the founding fathers and what they accomplished. Presents the Federalist Papers, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and The U.S. Constitution. Also includes images, quotes, a history of the...
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Handout
Other

Colonial Hall: Biography of Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed biographical information on one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. He was a signer of the Constitution, a General, and a co-author of The Federalist Papers.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Federalist Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents a complete description of the Federalist Papers. Links to related sites are available.
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Article
Cato Institute

James Madison's Vision of Liberty [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
An article by the CATO institute about James Madison's vision for his writing and contribution for the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Includes information on his views of a limited government for citizens' rights.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: After the Fact: Virginia, New Yok, and "The Federalist Papers"

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the necessity for Virginia and New York to support the ratification of the Constitution. See what influenced the vote in Virginia and how the legislature of New York was finally convinced.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Federalists

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief look at the men who supported the new Constitution and the reasons they supported it.
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
Alexander Hamilton is perhaps the most misunderstood and under-appreciated of the Founders. A proponent of a strong national government with an "energetic executive," he is sometimes described as the godfather of modern big government....
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: John Jay

For Students 9th - 10th
John Jay epitomized the selfless leader of the American Revolution. Born to a prominent New York family, John Jay gained notoriety as a lawyer in his home state. He favored a moderate approach to Britain but joined his fellow Patriots...
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
James Madison's slight stature and reserved personality gave little indication of his keen intellect and shrewd nature. No other Founder had as much influence in crafting, ratifying, and interpreting the United States Constitution and...
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Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: Freedom of Speech and Association

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this interactive timeline freedom of speech and association in the United States.
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Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: Freedom of the Press

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this interactive timeline on the history of freedom of press in the United States.