Shmoop University
Shmoop: Making the Constitution Terms
Read about Checks and Balances, Balance of Power, the Electoral College, and much more in this informative lesson about the making of the Constitution.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) presents the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a Constitutional issue. The lesson provided relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make treaties with foreign...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Judicial Branch (9 12)
Provides a brief overview of the judicial branch of the federal government. Discusses the origin of the judicial branch, the concept of judicial review, and functions of the judicial branch. Links to more information about the U.S....
Tour Costa Rica
Costa Rica Government: Overview
This site gives an overview on the government of Costa Rica. Includes information on the courts, executive and legislative powers, and the provinces of Costa Rica.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Fdr and World War Ii
Discusses how Franklin D. Roosevelt guided the United States through World War II and laid the groundwork for Harry Truman to assume the role after his death.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: Recess Appointments
Explains Clause 3 of Article II, Vacancies during Recess of Senate. It outlines various situations where a vacancy may occur and what rules are in place to deal with it.
Other
President Gerald Ford's Veto of Railroad Retirement
Text of the message that President Ford wrote to the House of Representatives in 1974 stating his reasons for his veto of the Railroad Retirement Benefits Legislation.
Indiana University
Center on Congress: Learn About Congress
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Rice on Iraq, War and Politics
Transcript of an interview of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in September of 2002, discussing President George W. Bush's ideas about moving the US into war against Iraq.
US National Archives
National Archives: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii
This activity can be used during a unit on the U.S. Constitution. Students will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Federal v. Consolidated Government: Virginia Plan
The original text of The Virginia Plan presented at the Constitutional Convention. Discusses federal versus consolidated government.
Other
The Federalist Papers:convention, Constitution,& Debates
A clickable index of the 85 Federalist Papers. The text of each letter (paper) sent to New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788 is easily accessed.
Other
Center for Strategic & International Studies
"The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a public policy research institution dedicated to analysis and policy impact." Site gives student information and research on topics of national and international security.
Other
Foreign Policy Association
The FPA is an "organization founded in 1918 to educate Americans about significant world issues that have an important impact on their lives." Gives students an opportunity to take part in activities through the Great Decisions program.
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: American Diplomacy
An on-line magazine that provides "Commentary, Analysis, and Research on American Foreign Policy and Its Practice." Also contains articles from actual ambassadors and diplomats in the Foreign Service.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Themepark: Liberty: Three Branches of Government
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around the three branches of government. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Muammar Gaddafi
This biography of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi discusses his rise to power, his regime of Islamic socialism and support of pan-Arabism and the PLO, his relations with other countries, the Libyan Civil War, his capture and execution, and...
Other
Touro Law Center: William Marbury vs. James Madison
Transcript of the landmark court case that established the constitutional principle of judicial review. Judicial review is the concept that the federal judiciary has final power as to whether an act of the Congress or the Executive...
Other
Under His Hat: Abraham Lincoln: Mr. Lincoln's Desk
When we imagine President Lincoln struggling to preserve the nation, we conjure up many images in our minds. There was the excitement of political rallies, the soldiers' fear of the battlefield, and the grandeur of the Executive Mansion....
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The President and Congress
A brief description of the interaction between the president and Congress. Also includes information about the process for signing a bill into a law and take a quiz to test your learning.
A&E Television
History.com: How the u.s. Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787
Through amendments and legal rulings, the Constitution has transformed in some critical ways. The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, is the world's longest-surviving written...
Digital History
Digital History: u.s. Constitution and Organization of the National Government
Read about the structure of the U.S. Constitution and the thoughts of the framers behind the formation of each branch.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do?
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President do?" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.