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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Constitutional Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
Shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War, American leaders realized that the nation needed a new, stronger Constitution. But what would the new system of government look like?
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Slavery and the u.s. Constitution

For Students 3rd - 8th
Lesson focuses on the debate over slavery at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
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Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Creating the Us Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
The sources in this primary set document the creation of the US Constitution. Includes teaching guide.
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Handout
Other

Potus: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive facts about James Madison and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: James Mc Clurg 1746 1823

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a biography of James McClurg (1746-1823), a noted scientist and doctor in the early days of the United States. He was also a politician. McClurg was part of the Virginia delegation of the Constitutional Convention.
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Oliver Ellsworth

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of Oliver Ellsworth, the delegate from Connecticut to the Constitutional Convention. He also served as a senator and as a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: William Paterson

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource features a detailed biography on the politician from New Jersey who advocated for states' rights.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Was the Constitutional Convention Legal?

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the convening of a Constitutional Convention to address the problems inherent in the Articles of Confederation. Read a quote from George Washington, who addressed the legality of such a convention.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Philadelphia in 1787

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick snapshot of what the city of Philadelphia was like in terms of population, wealth, and appearance at the beginning of the Constitutional Convention held there in 1787.
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Primary
University of Chicago

The Founders' Constitution: Statement by Hugh Williamson

For Students 9th - 10th
A short statement by Williamson given during a debate in Congress (1792) on Article 1, Section 9, Clause 4 of the Constitution.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Alexander Martin

For Students 9th - 10th
An entry on the life of Alexander Martin, who served briefly in the Continental Army. He was later tried for cowardice, was acquitted but resigned shortly afterward. This did not hurt his political career, however. He was a delegate to...
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Unknown Type
History Teacher

Historyteacher.net: The u.s. Constitution: Quiz (2)

For Students 9th - 10th
10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers events pertaining to the U.S. Constittution.
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Unknown Type
History Teacher

Historyteacher.net: The u.s. Constitution: Quiz (3)

For Students 9th - 10th
10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers events pertaining to the U.S. Constitution.
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Handout
Other

Colonial Hall: Rufus King 1755 1827

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of this delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1788 from Massachusetts. He later served as the American ambassador to England.
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Handout
Other

Edmund Randolph's Views on Separation of Church & State

For Students 9th - 10th
A short article that discusses Randolph's beliefs regarding religion and the role of the state.
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Website
Other

Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Caleb Strong (1745 1819)

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of Caleb Strong, a delegate from Massachusetts to the Constitutional Convention, focusing on his role as Governor of Massachusetts in the early 19th century.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: George Washington

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief overview of George Washington and his importance to the success of the new nation, the United States.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Edmund Randolph

For Students 9th - 10th
Ushistory.org provides this biography of Edmund Randolph includes highlights of his political career and his role during the Constitutional Convention. Randolph went on to serve as Secretary of State.
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Handout
New Advent

Catholic Encyclopedia: Daniel Carroll

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides biographical details on the life of Carroll, with an emphasis on his role as a Catholic, and also his role in the picking of Washington D.C. as the capital. Please note that "The Catholic Encyclopedia" is a historic reference...
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Article
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Founding Fathers: New York: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of one of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: u.s. Constitution and the Idea of Compromise (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, examine many of the opposing viewpoints held by founding fathers as they considered various compromises that made the U.S. Constitution possible, including the three-fifths compromise made to placate slave-owning states.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: New Jersey Plan

For Students 9th - 10th
New Jersey Plan was presented in the form of eleven resolutions drafted by William Paterson. It detailed a legislature of only one house and featured equal representation in which each state had the same number of representatives thus...
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: The Three Fifths Compromise

For Students 9th - 10th
The Three-Fifths Compromise that was presented at the Constitutional Convention resolved the issue of counting slaves towards the population in regards to representation in the House of Representatives.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Virginia Plan

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the Virginia Plan that was based on a national and state government system with a separation of powers consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It also contained a resolution for proportional...