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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
One of our original Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton was a controversial figure. This PBS site allows you to watch excerpts from a two-hour long documentary on his life and role in US history. Provides a detailed timeline that gives...
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Primary
Henry J. Sage

Sage American History: The Virginia Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Primary source document establishing a basis and foundation of early American government. This document, adopted in Virginia and drafted by George Mason and Patrick Henry, precedes the Congressional call for independence.
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Website
Other

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Continuing Revolutions

For Students 9th - 10th
America was victorious in the Revolutionary War, but now faced a slew of problems while trying to set up our new nation. Study how we attempted to solve the problems of establishing a government, forming our economy, meeting the needs of...
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Primary
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: Alexander Hamilton Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Article
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Alexander Hamilton from the documentary program AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Duel, produced by PBS.
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eBook
Other

The Online Library of Liberty: Alexander Hamilton

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides brief biographical details on Alexander Hamilton with links to electronic versions of books he has authored that can be viewed in their original text.
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Article
Other

Seguin Descendants Historical Preservation: Erasmo Seguin

For Students 9th - 10th
Dig deep into the life of Erasmo Seguin, the sole representative from Texas to the constitutional convention after Mexico achieved independence from Spain. He helped to draft the Constitution of 1824 and was a major influence in the...
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Article
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Juan Jose Maria Erasmo De Jesus Seguin

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and work of Erasmo Seguin, the sole representative from Texas to the constitutional convention after Mexico achieved independence from Spain. He helped to draft the Constitution of 1824 and was a major influence in...
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Primary
University of Michigan

Making of America: Woman and Her Wishes, by Thomas Wentworth Higginson

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Wentworth Higginson addresss the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention in favor of woman suffrage in this 1853 pamphlet.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives some background history to the creation of the Bill of Rights and contains a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Civil War Begins [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The election of 1860 showed the deep divisions that split the country. With four candidates representing four very different approaches to the issue of slavery, the outcome resulted in the secession of South Carolina, followed eventually...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Women's Suffrage at Last

For Students 5th - 8th
Trace the history of the women's suffrage movement from its organized beginnings in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention to the final success with the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which constitutionally granted women the right vote.
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Website
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: How the President of the United States Is Elected

For Students 5th - 8th
How is the President of the United States elected? This explanation discusses the role of political parties and conventions, and the unusual role of the electoral college as set-forth by the Constitution.
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Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power

For Teachers 9th - 10th
James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution". His ideas have shaped the role of our government, the role of political parties, the Bill of Rights and more. This lesson offers extensive background, critical thinking...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Ratification Process: State by State

For Students 5th - 8th
The ratification of the Constitution was placed at the hands of the state legislatures. Read about which states supported the ratification, which were opposed, and why. Find out why, even after the requisite number of states had voted...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Election of 1860

For Students 5th - 8th
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was a watershed moment for the union of the country. Read about the political conventions, several candidates, and the votes that were split among them. Find a map that shows how the electoral...
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Oliver Ellsworth (1745 1807)

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Oliver Ellsworth who represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress and also was a promoter of the Connecticut Compromise.
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Handout
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Thomas Mifflin (1744 1800)

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biographical sketch of Mifflin that provides details about his life and his relationship with the University of Pennsylvania.
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Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Expore Pa History: Thomas Mifflin

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides details about a historical marker on Mifflin. Includes a short biographical sketch plus links to three famous Mifflin portraits (by Benjamin West, Charles Wilson Peale, and John Singleton Copley).
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Website
Other

Chancellor John Ten Eyck Lansing, Jr.

For Students 9th - 10th
A very nice site on the life of Lansing. It presents several biographical sketches plus many pictures.
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Primary
Other

Digital Maryland: Letter From Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer to Johnson 1788

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a file of an actual letter written by Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer to the governor of Maryland, Thomas Johnson. The letter is dated Nov. 11, 1788 and is three pages long. Some notes on the letter are also provided.
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Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Beginnings of the Movement: African American Men Get the Vote

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the ways in which the women's suffrage movement, after African-American men were given the right to vote, fell short. Read texts from this period of time.
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Primary
University of North Carolina

Unc: Reminiscences & Memoirs of John H. Wheeler

For Students 9th - 10th
The full text of John Wheeler's memoirs (478 pages) in which he writes a history of North Carolina by talking about its famous citizens. He has a lengthy section on Richard Dobbs Spaight, Sr. in which he discusses his life and how he...
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: To Sign or Not to Sign

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students will consider the arguments made by members of the Continental Congress regarding whether or not to sign the Declaration of Independence. They will also have the opportunity to analyze each section of the Declaration to...

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