Curated OER
What Constitutes a State?
Learners examine the differences between various state constitutions in the United States. Then, using their own
Library of Congress
Loc: Religion and the State Governments
This site from the Library of Congress is an essay describing the state responses to religion after independence was declared.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Virginia Constitution: 29 June 1776
The complete original text of the revolutionary state constitution of Virginia adopted in June 1776.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Massachusetts Constitution: 2 March 1780
The complete, original text of the Massachusetts State Constitution as adopted in March, 1780.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: American Revolution: Revolution and State Constitution Making
A full-length essay on the formation of new state constitutions by the 13 newly independent states.
![Constitutional Rights Foundation: Bill of Rights in Action: Puritan Ma: Theocracy or Democracy? [Pdf] Article](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Constitutional Rights Foundation: Bill of Rights in Action: Puritan Ma: Theocracy or Democracy? [Pdf] Article")
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Bill of Rights in Action: Puritan Ma: Theocracy or Democracy? [Pdf]
Resource study of the Bill of Rights examines governance by looking at three cases in history for comparison to analyze the concepts of theocracy and democracy in governing. Includes questions for discussion and small group activity.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Comparing Constitutions: Florida vs. the u.s.
The US Constitution and the Constitution of Florida are compared in this tutorial and how each incorporates the system of federalism. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
iCivics
I Civics: The Great State
In this overview lesson, students learn about state government structure, functions, lawmaking, and relationship with local government.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: State Constitutions
The success of the Revolution gave Americans the opportunity to give legal form to their ideals as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and to remedy some of their grievances through state constitutions. As early as May 10,...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: State Constitutions
The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Making Rules
Follow the incremental process that the colonial leaders took over a ten-year period of time making new rules that would finally result in independence from Great Britain. See how many of them really didn't plan on independence, but that...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Societal Impacts of the American Revolution
A look at how the ideals of the American Revolution shaped the new American Republic. Many ideals were not implemented immediately but the seed had been planted.
iCivics
I Civics: Comparing Constitutions: Ohio
Compare and contrast the U.S. and Ohio constitutions in this hands-on lesson using excerpts from both documents. Dig into how they structure the government, address individual rights, outline the amendment process and more.
iCivics
I Civics: Comparative Constitutions
Young scholars explore how the US Constitution is similar to and different from state constitutions. Uses the constitutions of Florida and Virginia as examples.
Digital History
Digital History: Creating New State Governments
See how state constitutions were the incubator of ideas that eventually became embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Revolution in Social Law
Being able to own land and having land availble to own brought about great change in the new American nation. Read about how this came about and why it reflected new republican ideals. See what other changes were reflected in new state...