University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The Marshall Cases
Text of landmark Supreme Court cases presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall, that decided questions of how to interpret the U.S. Constitution. The cases took place between 1801 and 1825.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Documentary Origins of the Bill of Rights I
Explore both the British and state influences on the U.S. Bill of Rights. Understand the origins of each amendment to the Constitution.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Federalist/antifederalist Debate Bill of Rights
Identify the role of the debates between the Federalists and Antifederalists during the creation of the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Politics of the Bill of Rights: Part Iii
Investigate what the politics were leading to the creation of the Bill of Rights. Identify how the debates in the first congress led to the stages of approval and ultimately the adoption of the ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Read Works
Read Works: We the People
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Constitution of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution
The delegates to the Constititional Convention produced a new governing document for the new United States. Read about how they determined to take the ratification process to the people of the states.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: State Constitutions
The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Growing Opposition
George Washington's cabinet had strong personalities with often opposing opinions. Read about the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in regard to Hamilton's financial policies for the new country. See why these...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Election of 1860
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was a watershed moment for the union of the country. Read about the political conventions, several candidates, and the votes that were split among them. Find a map that shows how the electoral...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: An Uneasy Peace
See what turmoil resulted from the acquisition of new territory after the Mexican-American War. There was great disagreement between those who wanted to abolish slavery and those who wanted to be able to carry slavery into the new lands....
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Iroquois Tribes
The Iroquois were a group of five tribes linked by their language and similar culture. Read about why the Iroquois were such a great example of the elevated role of women in the tribes, the complex lifestyle they had, and their political...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Unsettled Domestic Issues
The new United States government faced many threats to its success. Read this overview of the possible problems.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Making Rules
Follow the incremental process that the colonial leaders took over a ten-year period of time making new rules that would finally result in independence from Great Britain. See how many of them really didn't plan on independence, but that...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Societal Impacts of the American Revolution
A look at how the ideals of the American Revolution shaped the new American Republic. Many ideals were not implemented immediately but the seed had been planted.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Historic Valley Forge: Major General Alexander Hamilton
A short biography of Alexander Hamilton containing information on his military service during the American Revolution as well as his later life in politics.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Benjamin Franklin Timeline
Independence Hall Association features an easy-to-read timeline offering a wealth of information about Franklin's life.
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...
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.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: James Mc Henry
A good biography of James McHenry (1753-1816 CE), a delegate from Maryland to the Constitutional Convention. He also served as an aide to General Washington and later as his Secretary of War.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: William Blount
Provides good biographical details on the life of William Blount, one of the delegates from North Carolina to the Constitutional Convention.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Pierce Butler
A biographical sketch of this delegate from South Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. He later served as a Senator.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Blair
A biography of John Blair, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia. He later served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Gunning Bedford, Jr.
Provides good biographical details on Gunning Bedford, Jr. (1747-1812 CE). He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware.