US National Archives
Our Documents: Articles of Confederation (1777)
The Our Documents group presents information on the Articles of Confederation, including its history, an enlarged image of the document, and a printer-friendly version of the text. Includes PDFs (require Adobe Reader).
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Articles of Confederation
At this site from the University of Groningen's page of "From Revolution to Reconstruction", you can read the Articles of Confederation, written in 1781. Authors listed with the states for which they were writing.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Formation of a National Government
This site from the American Revolution Project discusses the state of the union at the end of the Revolutionary War and how the events of the time led to the failure of the Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Oliver Ellsworth (1745 1807)
Biography of Oliver Ellsworth who represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress and also was a promoter of the Connecticut Compromise.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: An Interview With Thomas Jefferson
"What do you think Thomas Jefferson was like as a person? What were his interests and hobbies? Where did he go to school? Imagine yourself as a reporter in 1826, about to interview Mr. Jefferson at Monticello, his home."
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
![Digital History: The Age of Constitution Writing [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: The Age of Constitution Writing [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: The Age of Constitution Writing [Pdf]
See how colonial and state constitutions differed and how the idea of a social contract between a government and its citizens is reflected in the state constitutions. The second half of this site gives an abbreviated text of the Articles...
Library of Congress
Loc: The u.s. Constitution: Governing of the u.s.
This unit includes four lessons using primary sources to examine continuity and change in the governing of the United States. Lessons one and two are focused on a study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and provide access to primary...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Constitutional Convention
George Washington wrote of the period between the Treaty of Paris and the writing of the Constitution that the states were united only by a "rope of sand."Disputes between Maryland and Virginia over navigation on the Potomac River led to...
Digital History
Digital History: The Road to Revolution
A time line and explanation of the many events, including the colonists' interpretations of those events, that led to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Great Seal of the United States (1782)
View and learn about the original design of the great seal, including the history of its creation and its current uses.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Signers of the Declaration: John Adams
This site provides an interactive biography of former President John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
PBS
Pbs Liberty!: Benedict Arnold's Leg
The PBS program "Liberty!" notes Saratoga National Historic Park's monument to Benedict Arnold's leg. A brief, partial biography of Benedict Arnold covers the significance behind the monument, as well as the events that followed Arnold's...
Other
Thomas Jefferson
Citizendium is similar to Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia where the public edits articles. In this article, an overview of Jefferson's life and political views are provided.
Other
Object of History: Other Authors of the Declaration of Independence
View a photo of the committee that discussed the important points to be covered in the Declaration of Independence.
Other
Biographies: Thomas Paine
Detailed biography of the American revolutionary writer and thinker Thomas Paine. Includes discussion of the influence of his writing on international affairs.
PBS
Pbs: Independence Day [Pdf]
Picnics, fireworks, and parades are what we think of when someone says Fourth of July. This day became a federal holiday in 1941 so Americans could take a day to celebrate our independence. View the following slideshow that summarizes...
Yale University
Yale University: Declaration and Resolves of the First Congress
This Yale Law School project posts outcomes of the First Continental Congress. Contains the actual text of the declarations and resolves written by the First Continental Congress.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Declaration of Independence
Overview of the men primarily responsible for writing and revising the Declaration of Independence. Includes links to the signers of the document, an image of the Declaration, and information on the drafting of the document.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Articles of Confederation, 1781
Gives a nice history of the Articles and also a summary of what they were and the problems that developed with their adoption. Includes links to the actual document.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Symbols of u.s. Govt.: The Liberty Bell (K 2)
Did you ever wonder why a large bell, known as The Liberty Bell, is so important in U.S. history? Use this site to learn about this great symbol of our country.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson, 1743 1826
Brief summary from the Library of Congress of Thomas Jefferson's involvement in the Declaration of Independence.
Library of Congress
Loc: Richard Henry Lee
The Library of Congress provides a brief biography of Richard Henry Lee. Select "Return to Essay" to explore his role within the context of America's fight towards independence.