Yale University
Avalon Project: Madison Debates
Read online from James Madison's report of William Patterson's proposal of the New Jersey Plan at the Federal Convention, 1787. Link to related document: Articles of Confederation as related specifically to each proposal in the New...
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....
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1860s: The 1858 69 Constututional Convention
With the freeing of slaves following the Emancipation Proclamation, African-Americans, including former slaves, began to take part in the government. Read about African-American Charles W. Bryant, Constitutional Convention delegate, and...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: John Tyler, Virginia Ratifying Convention
The original text of a statement by John Tyler, member of the Virginia Constitutional Ratifying Convention, on his opposition to the new Constitution.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Popular Basis of Political Authority
This speech, "The Address and Reasons of Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania to Their Constituents," contains some of the arguments for opposing the Constitution.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: "In Doors": Ratification in State Conventions
Strengthen understanding of the ratification of the Constitution. Study the state ratification conventions of Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Amendments Proposed by Hartford Convention
This is the text of the constitutional amendments proposed by the Hartford Convention in 1814, trying to get the federal government to give control of militias to the states and recognize other New England interests.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: History of the Constitution
This history of the American Constitution discusses how the Constitution served as a basis for inspiring and regulating laws made across the nation.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The u.s. Constitution: Quiz (3)
10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers events pertaining to the U.S. Constitution.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Piracies, Felonies, and Offenses Against the Law
This resource explains Clause 10 of Article I of the U.S. Constitution beginning with the origins of "Piracies, Felonies, and Offenses Against the Law of Nations." Further historical background as considered by the Constitutional...
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.
US National Archives
Nara: Founding Fathers: North Carolina
Gives biographical details on the five delegates from North Carolina to the Constitutional Convention: William Blount, William Richard Davie, Alexander Martin, Richard Dobbs Spaight Sr., and Hugh Williamson.
Princeton University
Princeton University: William Paterson
A magazine article devoted to Princeton University offers a biography of its distinguished alumnus, who later became Governor of New Jersey and co-authored the New Jersey Plan which was presented to the Constitutional Convention.
![Success Link: 1787 [Archived Version] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/501064-ffae068b782fcb5a01d3c7ce2e1a5a66.jpg?1661827526 "Success Link: 1787 [Archived Version] Lesson Plan")
Success Link
Success Link: 1787 [Archived Version]
By using the novel, Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz, and 1787 by Joan Anderson, learners learn the lively discussion among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention concerning the ratification of the document they...
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Dickinson
A good biography of John Dickinson (1732-1808 CE). He was one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware. He was a strong supporter of the new Constitution and as a result, Delaware became the first state to ratify...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Founding Fathers
This site provides a very brief description of three of the founding fathers of the Constitution: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. The site provides links to further biographies of all three men as well as...
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...
Digital History
Digital History: Slavery and the Slave Trade [Pdf]
Read reconstructions of debates by delegates to the Constitutional Convention as they attempted to come to terms with slavery, the slave trade, and how to address the issue in the Constitution so all states would be willing to ratify it....
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Richard Dobbs Spaight
A biography of this delegate from North Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. He was a strong federalist and helped with persuading North Carolina to endorse the new constitution. He later served as a Congressman.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Edmund Randolph 1753 1813
This site from the University of Groningen profiles Edmund Randolph and chronicles his role as Attorney General of the US. Also includes his role as the presenter of the Virginia Plan to the Constitutional Convention.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: William Samuel Johnson
A short but detailed biography of one of the representatives to the Constitutional Convention from Connecticut. An interesting fact about Johnson is that he was not a supporter of the War for Independence.
US National Archives
Nara: Founding Fathers: New Jersey
Gives biographical details on the five delegates from New Jersey to the Constitutional Convention: David Brearly, Jonathan Dayton, William C. Houston, William Livingston, and William Patterson.