Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Dickinson
John Dickinson was called "The Penman of the American Revolution." During the 1760s and 1770s, he authored numerous important essays in defense of American rights, including The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies, the...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Jay
John Jay epitomized the selfless leader of the American Revolution. Born to a prominent New York family, John Jay gained notoriety as a lawyer in his home state. He favored a moderate approach to Britain but joined his fellow Patriots...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Roger Sherman
Although not the most charismatic or eloquent Founder, Roger Sherman was highly esteemed by his contemporaries. At Sherman's death, Ezra Stiles, president of Yale College, wrote, "He was an extraordinary man-a venerable uncorrupted...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Constitution of the United States of America (1787)
The Constitution was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by delegates from 12 states, in order to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government. It created a federal system with a national...
Other
Left Justified: Founding Fathers
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Revolution: Continental Congress [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines the rules by which the Continental Congress governed colonial America. Learners will identify people who held positions of leadership...
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Land Ordinance of 1785
Read how the Confederate Congress dealt with issues about claims of land by states, Native Americans, and squatters west of the Appalachian Mountains. See how the Land Ordinance of 1785 divided up the land, supported public education,...
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.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Northwest Ordinance
Ohio Test Prep video from which students learn how the Northwest Ordinance established a precedent for governing the United States.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Constitution
This site provides extensive information regarding several American constitutional issues such as: impeachment, war powers, interstate commerce, and the amendment process. Hyperlinks can be found throughout each constitutional issue to...
Digital History
Digital History: Writing a Constitution [Pdf]
This site is from a unit called 'Writing the US Constitution.' It looks at the documents that preceded the Constitution, and the major issues that were debated while the Constitution was being created.
Digital History
Digital History: A Bill of Rights? [Pdf]
There was no Bill of Rights attached to the original Constitution, but it was a topic of discussion. Read a reconstruction of speeches of delegates to the Constitutional Convention who debated for and against the inclusion of a way to...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Problem of Expansion
With the end of the Revolution, the United States again had to face the old unsolved Western question -- the problem of expansion, with its complications of land, fur trade, Indians, settlement and local government. Lured by the richest...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Preamble to the Constitution: A Close Reading Lesson
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Preamble to the Constitution: A Close Reading Lesson." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Constitutional Convention of 1787
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "The Constitutional Convention of 1787" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Independence
Independence is so important to Americans. Congress for Kids provides a tutorial on this core value.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Images of the American Revolution
The National Archives and Records Administration provides a lesson plan on the American Revolution. Content includes excellent historical background, as well as several primary source documents, pictures, and engravings detailing various...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Constitution
Read about the history of the United States Constitution, then try the multiple-choice quiz. Includes an audio narration of the text and a link to a biography of James Madison, as well as links to other resources.
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...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: u.s. Constitution
Video test preparation module for Social Studies on the U.S. Constitution teaches students about provisions and compromises made during the Constitutional Convention and how the terms reflect Enlightenment thinking.
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Historical Documents
Ohio test preparation material on the important historical documents from which the principles of U.S. democracy are reflected. With video tutorials, practice, and assessment.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Cast of National Superstars
A brief look at some of those who served as delegates to the Philadelphia Convention, which morphed into a constitutional convention. Pay attention to the class of people who made up the delegates.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Politics in Colonial Virginia
This site explores the politics involved in Colonial Williamsburg, leading up to the American Revolution. Content focuses on famous speeches, documents, and influential people.