iCivics
You've Got Rights!
If aliens invaders nearly destroy the world in the distant future and leaders must decide on a pamphlet of protections to preserve individual rights, what should they include? Introduce the Bill of Rights and the struggle between the...
Curated OER
Debate over the Ratification of the Constitution
Twelfth graders discuss the creation of the United States, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Through a class debate, role-playing Federalists and Anti-federalists, they identify the reasons for and against ratification...
Curated OER
Congress and the Creation of the Bill of Rights
Students participate in inquiry activities to explore powers outlined in the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights activity, students creation of a class Bill of Rights, evaluate and propose amendments, and analyze primary source...
Curated OER
Anti-federalist Arguments Against: A Complete Consolidation
Students analyze Anti-Federalist debates. For this Anti-Federalists lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Anti-Federalist argument against extended republic tendencies. Students...
Curated OER
The First American Party System: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans: The Platforms They Never Had
Students investigate the beginnings of the political party system in the US. They determine the key positions of both the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. They compare the views of the early political parties with those of today.
Curated OER
The First American Party System: A Documentary Timeline of Important Events (1787-1800)
Learners conduct research on the events of the end of the 18th century in order to identify critical factors leading to the development of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties. They summarize the key positions of...
Curated OER
Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans Comparison Chart
In this Federalists and Democratic Republicans worksheet, learners fill out a chart comparing Hamilton and Jefferson. Students complete 6 spots in the chart.
Curated OER
Why a Bill of Rights? What Impact Does it Have?
Students explore the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students compare the Federalist view of government to the Anti-Federalist view of government. Students consider the impact of the bill of rights as they take notes on...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: Early Political Parties
Students examine the platforms of early political parties in the United States. In this political parties instructional activity, students discover details regarding the attributes and ideals of the federalists and the...
Curated OER
Debate On Ratification
Students simulate a delegate that was responsible for the Constitution. They research their arguments, and stage a debate in front of the state's legislature (the class). The class then vote whether or not to ratify the new Constitution.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Sedition Act of 1798
Complete text of the Sedition Act of 1798 passed by the Federalists to strengthen national security.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: James Monroe and the Era of Good Feelings
A complete look at the administration of James Monroe and the policies of the Era of Good Feelings. You can read about the domestic policies, foreign affairs, and important decisions of the Supreme Court made during the Monroe...
University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Law Library: Federalist Papers
The complete text of the 85 Federalist Papers which explained why the authors believed the new Constitution should be ratified.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by Congress in 1798 because of feared war with France. This engaging page gives you the opportunity to see a complete copy of the original document and also gives links to a typed transcript,...
PBS
Pbs Liberty!: Congress Adds a Bill of Rights
Informative site recounting the events of December 15, 1791, when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. Learn about the Bill of Rights and the freedoms it was designed to protect!
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Thomas Jefferson the Revolution of 1800
This is a teacher site, with lesson objectives and plans, but it contains very good information and ideas to stimulate thought and understanding. It explains the technicalities of the election of 1800 and the peaceful transfer of power...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Adams
A great in-depth biography of John Adams. Topics include: his life before the presidency, campaigns and elections, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and life after the presidency. Links to the first lady, his Cabinet members, and Staff...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Monroe
This site gives a biography of President James Monroe. From the left-hand toolbar, select information about his life before presidency, campaigns and elections, and also domestic affairs. Links to the first lady, cabinet members , and...
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: John Jay
Read an informative biography, a list of facts providing an overview of Chief Justice John Jay and his political career, and the he cases that he worked on are included. To access all information on John Jay, select links from the...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Competing Visions: Federalists and Democratic Republicans
After reading this section of a chapter on "The New Republic," students will be able to describe the competing visions of the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, identify the protections granted to citizens under the Bill of...
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Constitutional Convention and Federal Constitution
After reading this section of the chapter on "Creating Republican Governments", students will be able to identify the central issues of the 1787 Constitutional Convention and their solutions and also describe the conflicts over the...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Jack Rakove and Original Meanings
This interview with Pulitzer Prize Winner Jack Rakove about his book Original Meanings is very informative. He discusses the ideology of the framers of the US Constitution and the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Federalists
Go in-depth with studying The Federalist and those who contributed to it. What was the goal of the Federalists?