University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Adams
A great in-depth biography of John Adams. Topics include: his life before the presidency, campaigns and elections, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and life after the presidency. Links to the first lady, his Cabinet members, and Staff...
Other
The Federalist Papers: John Jay
A good biography of John Jay's extensive political efforts for U.S. throughout his life.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Thomas Jefferson Digital Archive
This online collection of Thomas Jefferson resources includes texts, quotations, and bibliographies, along with documents which were written either by or to Jefferson.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Causes of American Revolution: Soldiers and Civilians at War
For this lesson, 5th graders look at causes and consequences of the American Revolution, at nations and individuals that impacted the outcome, at the roles women played, and at how the war affected families, economics, and the...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf]
In this instructional activity, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Articles of Confederation (1777)
The Our Documents group presents information on the Articles of Confederation, including its history, an enlarged image of the document, and a printer-friendly version of the text. Includes PDFs (require Adobe Reader).
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: John Dickinson (1732 1808)
Dickinson has correctly been called the "Penman of the Revolution" by later historians. But his activities extended fortwo decades into the life of the new republic, years in which Dickinson's contributions were many. Dickinson's career...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: James Wilson (1742 1798)
Article presenting two somewhat contrasting biographies of James Wilson, who was a lawyer, member of the Second Continental Congress and later became a Supreme Court Justice.
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Wythe 1726 1806
Biography of George Wythe, 1726-1806, a learned man and teacher who supported the American Revolution and was a delegate to the Continental Congress, signing the Declaration of Independence and attended the Constiutional Convention.
Digital History
Digital History: How Were the Colonies Able to Win Independence?
A discussion of the several reasons the American colonies were able to defeat the head of the British Empire and become an independent country. See also a very brief description of how the Continental Congress paid for the war.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Nathaniel Gorham
A brief but detailed biography of this delegate from Massachusetts to the Constitutional Convention. He also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and for a time was its president.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Richard Henry Lee
Richard Henry Lee in many ways personified the elite Virginia gentry. A planter and slaveholder, he was tall, handsome, and genteel in his manners. Raised in a conservative environment, Lee was nonetheless radical in his social and...
US National Archives
Docsteach: To Sign or Not to Sign
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: June 14: Flag Day
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. This resource from American Memory has lots of primary source material about the day and the flag. Read in the journals of the Continental Congress which designates the design of our first national...
A&E Television
History.com: Thomas Jefferson Videos: Declaration of Independence
A video featuring the Declaration of Independence. Tom Brokaw addresses why the Continental Congress found the need for the revolutionary document. [4:00]
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Witherspoon
He was a father figure to America's Founders. A renowned theologian from Scotland, John Witherspoon educated many young men who became prominent leaders of the Founding generation. He went on to embrace the revolutionary cause. He signed...
Other
Calliope Film: Shays' Rebellion and the Constitution
Synopsis of the historical significance of Shays' Rebellion in 1786 and how this upheaval influenced the Continental Congress to adopt the Constitution of the United States.
Digital History
Digital History: Antislavery Timeline
A timeline of actions tied to the prohibition of or ending of slavery from the meeting of the Continental Congress in 1774 to John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Declaration of Independence (1776) and Resource Materials
This is a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
History of American Wars
History of American Wars: Revolutionary War Soldiers
Describes the clothing and uniforms worn by soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Also explains what the rank of officer meant in the British military and how a man became an officer. How Congress eventually created an army is...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The War Experience: Soldiers, Officers, and Civiliams
It's a miracle American won the American Revolution. Read about the difficulty in raising and maintaining a professional fighting force. Also find out about the antagonism between the soldiers and civilians. Congress seemed unwilling to...
Library of Congress
Loc: Creating a Constitution
A brief article on the efforts of Charles Pinckney along with others to amend The Articles of Confederation. Includes links to original text of unsuccessful amendments to The Articles of Confederation
Robin Chew
Samuel Adams: American Patriot & Politician
Read a brief overview of the life of Samuel Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Links to other resources about Adams are included.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Lee Resolution (1776)
The Our Documents group offers information on Richard Henry Lee's 1776 resolution proposing colonial independence. See the original document, read the transcript, and download a printer-friendly version.