Yale University
Papers of Dr. James Mc Henry on Federal Convention
A complete transcript of James McHenry's account of the Constitutional Convention on May 14, 1787. McHenry discusses the Virginia Plan.
Yale University
Avalon Project: The Plan of Charles Pinckney (South Carolina)
The original text of a plan presented by Charles Pinckney to The Second Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
Yale University
Notes on the Secret Debates of the Federal Convention
The complete text of the notes taken by Robert Yates while he was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Madison Debates
Read online from James Madison's report of William Patterson's proposal of the New Jersey Plan at the Federal Convention, 1787. Link to related document: Articles of Confederation as related specifically to each proposal in the New...
University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma College of Law: The Annapolis Convention
Historical document reveals details of the Annapolis Convention, a national political convention held in 1786 Annapolis, Maryland, in which twelve delegates from five states gathered to discuss and develop a consensus about reversing the...
Other
Historical Scene Investigation: Hsi: I Smell a Rat: Constitution Controversy
Activity in which students act as detectves to investigate an historical issue. In this activity students analyze primary source material to learn about controversy surrounding the U.S. Constitution when they are asked to find out what...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Lesson Plans
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Alexander Hamilton Biography
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.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton
A biography of Alexander Hamilton from the documentary program AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Duel, produced by PBS.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: A New System of Government 1776 1826
This module examines America's efforts to form a new government after the War for Independence and to draft the Constitution. Includes an interactive activity comparing Thomas Jefferson's and Alexander Hamilton's visions for America, a...
Other
History.library Point: John Francis Mercer: A Neglected Patriot
An interesting article on the life of the delegate from Maryland to the Constitutional Convention who eventually walked out (along with his fellow delegate Luther Martin) and fell into the anti-Federalist camp.
Library of Congress
Loc: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
This site provides a collection of material regarding the work of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Content includes a focus on how the Revolutionary War was organized, fanning the flames of patriotism,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
The Library of Congress provides several hundred documents relating to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Content includes drafts of the Constitution, journals of Congress, resolutions, proclamations, committee...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: April 13: Thomas Jefferson, Grand Old Flag
Multi-faceted site with hypertexted links to Jefferson's writings, summary of the events leading to the Constitution and the failure of the Articles of Confederation; included is Jefferson's original draft of the "Bill for Establishing...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: From Confederation to Constitution
This tutorial examines the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and why they were replaced with the Constitution. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
US National Archives
National Archives: We the People
View George Washington's annotated draft of the Constitution while discussing the ratification process. Specifically, the students will analyze changes to the Preamble of the Constitution. Critical thinking questions are provided.
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...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Delegates
Find the delegates of the Constitutional Convention listed both alphabetically and by the state they represented. Check out the biographical information for each one.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Resources on the Convention
Committees, committee assignments, themes of the Constitutional Convention and more resources are provided. Go into depth studying the details of the significant convention.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Ratification of the Constitution Introduction
An overview of the process of ratification which occurred following the Constitutional Convention proposed the first version of the Constitution. Meet the primary contributors and understand the six stages of the ratification.
US Senate
The u.s. Senate: The Senate and the United States Constitution
This site from the United States Senate provides information about the evolution of the Senate as the Constitution was being written by the Constitutional Congress.
US Senate
Vice Presidents of the United States: Elbridge Gerry
A very nice biography of the fifth vice president of the United States, Elbridge Gerry. Gerry died in office in 1814.
Other
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association: 5 Issues at the Constitutional Convention
There were 5 main issues that the delegates to the Constitutional Convention argued and debated: Slavery, Representation, State v. Federal Powers, Commerce, and Executive Powers. Analyze these issues by reading the following summaries,...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Slavery in Constitution
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate the central historical question about slavery. In this investigation students consider the positions of delegates to the Constitutional Convention...