Digital History
Digital History: Shays' Rebellion
A brief discussion of Shays' Rebellion and why it was but a symptom of a weak central government under the Articles of Confederation. See what some saw as a way to fix the problems.
University of Prince Edward Island
Island Studies Journal: Bridges & Islands: A Strained Relationship
This is a series of articles on bridges and how they impact on island cultures. One article focusses on Confederation Bridge which links Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
Other
The House of Commons Heritage Collection
This comprehensive site from the Curatorial Services of the House of Commons in Ottawa collects and celebrates the architecture, fine art, and heritage spaces of Canada's Parliament. The Collection Profiles gives students web-based...
Digital History
Digital History: The Tyranny of the Majority
See how the actions of state legislatures threatened the very existence of a national government during the Confederation Era.
US National Archives
Nara: Charters of Freedom: Constitution of the United States
Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...
Library of Congress
Loc: The United States Constitution
See transcripts of the debates of the Federal Convention of 1787, the draft of the Constitution, or see the facsimiles of the original documents. Trace the progress of the Constitution using the historical documents themselves.
US National Archives
Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Learning Page: Government Policy Toward Native Americans
How did the new government deal the Native Americans living in the Northwest Territory? Find out what the government did to keep the peace between the original inhabitants and the new settlers.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Declare the Causes
Offers lesson plans that guide students to understanding the structure of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the course of the instructional activity, students will be working on writing their own declaration of grievances...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Letter From George Mason to T. Jefferson
This letter from George Mason shows his Anti-Federalist opinions and opposition to a planned centralized government.
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: The u.s. Constitution (1783 1789)
A comprehensive unit of the colonies gaining their independence from and trying to create an effective constitution establishing a new government. Find lessons, videos, and primary sources.
Other
Constitution Facts
How much do you really know about the most important document in United States' history? Take the quiz and test your knowledge. If you need some additional information, click on the US Constitution and Amendments tab and play the...
Virginia History Series
Virginia History Series: Virginia Becomes a State [Pdf]
Virginia played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War and the creation of our new government. This slideshow uses pictures, graphs, and a detailed timeline showing the major events in Virginia from 1760-1800.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Core Documents of u.s.democracy
Direct online access to the basic Federal Government documents that define our democratic society, a core group of current and historical Government publications.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: After Shays' Rebellion
Lesson on the aftermath of Shays' Rebellion as a reflection of the republican nature of American government and the right to vote. Includes primary resources with background information and strategies for analysis.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?
This unit explores the timeless qualities of The U.S. Constitution, the opportunities to amend it, and how it is a pillar of the American identity, through these activities, videos, and outside resources.
iCivics
I Civics: Road to the Constitution
How did we go from thirteen British colonies to the United States of America? Explore the major hardships of life under British rule, how the colonists decided to break away, and how they set a path for a new and independent government....
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Constitution
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents a brief history of the Constitution. Links to related sites are available.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Creating the Us Constitution
A collection which uses primary sources to explore the creation of the US Constitution.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Themepark: Liberty: United States Historical Documents
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around historical documents. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Alexander Hamilton: Lawyer, Writer, and Founding Father
Through a short video and an analysis of two primary sources, students will examine the life of Alexander Hamilton, an important military and political leader.
iCivics
I Civics: The Federalist Debate
The ratification debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists gives us insight into the ideas behind both sides and a better understanding of how our government developed in its early years.
A&E Television
History.com: The Patriot Financier Who Bankrolled the Revolutionary War
A brash, self-made millionaire helped fund the fight for independence, but after the war, he ended up in debtor's prison. Without Robert Morris, the American Revolution may have been crushed under a mountain of debt and disarray. The...
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The u.s. Constitution: Framing, Principles and Ratification [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining how the Articles of Confederation were replaced with the Constitution and the compromises that were reached during debates.