Other
Historical Scene Investigation: Hsi: I Smell a Rat: Constitution Controversy
Activity in which students act as detectves to investigate an historical issue. In this activity students analyze primary source material to learn about controversy surrounding the U.S. Constitution when they are asked to find out what...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress Link: Lesson Plans
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Alexander Hamilton Biography
This excellent biography of Alexander Hamilton is part of the University of Missouri's "Famous Trials" site. With text links to personal letters and other documents written by Hamilton.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton
A biography of Alexander Hamilton from the documentary program AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Duel, produced by PBS.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: A New System of Government 1776 1826
This module examines America's efforts to form a new government after the War for Independence and to draft the Constitution. Includes an interactive activity comparing Thomas Jefferson's and Alexander Hamilton's visions for America, a...
Other
History.library Point: John Francis Mercer: A Neglected Patriot
An interesting article on the life of the delegate from Maryland to the Constitutional Convention who eventually walked out (along with his fellow delegate Luther Martin) and fell into the anti-Federalist camp.
Library of Congress
Loc: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
This site provides a collection of material regarding the work of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Content includes a focus on how the Revolutionary War was organized, fanning the flames of patriotism,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
The Library of Congress provides several hundred documents relating to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Content includes drafts of the Constitution, journals of Congress, resolutions, proclamations, committee...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: April 13: Thomas Jefferson, Grand Old Flag
Multi-faceted site with hypertexted links to Jefferson's writings, summary of the events leading to the Constitution and the failure of the Articles of Confederation; included is Jefferson's original draft of the "Bill for Establishing...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: From Confederation to Constitution
This tutorial examines the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and why they were replaced with the Constitution. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
US National Archives
National Archives: We the People
View George Washington's annotated draft of the Constitution while discussing the ratification process. Specifically, the students will analyze changes to the Preamble of the Constitution. Critical thinking questions are provided.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: The Delegates
Find the delegates of the Constitutional Convention listed both alphabetically and by the state they represented. Check out the biographical information for each one.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Resources on the Convention
Committees, committee assignments, themes of the Constitutional Convention and more resources are provided. Go into depth studying the details of the significant convention.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Ratification of the Constitution Introduction
An overview of the process of ratification which occurred following the Constitutional Convention proposed the first version of the Constitution. Meet the primary contributors and understand the six stages of the ratification.
US Senate
The u.s. Senate: The Senate and the United States Constitution
This site from the United States Senate provides information about the evolution of the Senate as the Constitution was being written by the Constitutional Congress.
US Senate
Vice Presidents of the United States: Elbridge Gerry
A very nice biography of the fifth vice president of the United States, Elbridge Gerry. Gerry died in office in 1814.
Other
The Online Library of Liberty: Alexander Hamilton
Provides brief biographical details on Alexander Hamilton with links to electronic versions of books he has authored that can be viewed in their original text.
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.
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....
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America
[Free Registration/Login Required] A marvelous look at the life of Alexander Hamilton shown through primary documents in this interactive site.
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.
iCivics
I Civics: The Constitutional Convention Mini Lesson
Students explore how the U.S. government was created in the years following the Articles of Confederation.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Constitution: Drafting a More Perfect Union
This lesson provides discussion, culminating, and extension activities to enhance student understanding of the Constitution, and the Committees of Detail and Style. Students have the opportunity to compare the work of those two...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: Alexander Hamilton
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Alexander Hamilton represented the growing movement towards a strong national government. Read the beginning stages of the nationalist movement, the conflicting ideas of state...