Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Elbridge Gerry
Elbridge Gerry is remembered today for his controversial attempt as governor to draw congressional districts in Massachusetts to the advantage of his party. Indeed, "gerrymandering" is a common political tactic today and undeniably part...
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...
Digital History
Digital History: The Emergence of New Ideas About Personal Liberties
American colonists expected to have "English rights" as supported by the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. See how these rights were applied in the trial of John Peter Zenger, whose acquittal reflected the right of freedom of...
Curated OER
History Matters: A Bill of Rights for the Indians
In an attempt to redress wrongs towards Native Americans in the Dawes Act of 1887, John Collier, Roosevelt's Commissioner of Indian Affairs, collaborated with Native American elders in order to come up with new laws. Read about what was...
Other
Fac: Curfews, Loitering, and Freedom of Association
This detailed article offers a well-documented overview of this constitutional freedom, as well as an FAQ section and additional cases and resources focused specifically on this aspect of the First Amendment. (Published Sept. 16, 2002 /...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Liberty
Use these lesson extensions to help your students understand the historical context of American religious liberty.
US National Archives
Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
![Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
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 Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Ben's Ab Cs
Each letter of this alphabet is linked to an important aspect of the U.S. Government, e.g. "A is for Armed Forces" has a link to the Air Force. Links are made to the Bill of Rights, symbols, branches of government and The Constitution....
iCivics
I Civics: Colonial Influences
Where did the American colonists get their ideas that lead to a revolution and a whole new kind of government? This lesson explores the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato's Letters, and Common Sense.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Post War Prosperity, Cold War Fears 1945 1960: Challenges of Peacetime
Examines the challenges of demobilization after World War II, how Harry Truman addressed them, and how the government responded to the needs of war veterans.
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...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Gi Bill
The GI Bill is explained. It provided benefits to American veterans of World War II in the form of education, loans, unemployment income, etc.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Mendez v. Westminster: Paving the Way to School Desegregation
Article and activity on early school desegregation case brought by the Mexican-American community of California. Students explore background information and evaluate the impact Mendez v. Westminster had on school desegregation, and then...
PBS
Pbs Newshour: The Gi Bill's Legacy
Jim Lehrer, on his NewsHour program, offers an extensive interview with several historians discussing the impact of the GI Bill in transforming American society. Read what Stephen Ambrose, Doris Kerns Goodwin, Haynes Johnson, and Michael...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Three Visions for African Americans
Learning Activity on the divergent views of African American leaders. Students review and compare the competing visions of Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois. In addition, students choose a contemporary African...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: From Political Liberty to Social Freedom
In the early stages of the new nation's government the members of Congress sought to protect the citizens from political tyranny. Social freedoms emerged in the twentieth century when FDR begged for economic protection of U.S. citizens.
Yale University
Yale Law School: Resolutions of the Continental Congress, 1765
Contains the primary text of the resolutions against the Stamp Act sent to King George III.
Other
Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1940 1949
Take a walk through this part of American history surrounding World War II. Each section includes cultural history of the time, with links pertaining to art and architecture, books and literature, education, fads and fashion, historic...
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Our American Government, 2000 Edition
A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative,...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Amazing Americans
Checklist of inventors, politicians, performers, activists, and ordinary people who made America. Meet Harry Houdini, Langston Hughes, Buffalo Bill Cody and dozens of other famous and interesting American adventurers, presidents,...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Equal Status of Jewish Americans
This 3-page article provides a general overview of George Washington recognizing the equal status of Jewish Americans in 1790.
Library of Congress
Loc: Religion and the Founding of American Rep.: Religion and the Federal Gov
This site from the Library of Congress presents selections of articles, writings, and pictures that summarize the beliefs of the early American politicians that morality and personal independence were essential for the country. Links to...
University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: George Mason 1725 1792 Introduction
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Leader of the Anti-federalist faction against strong national government, Mason fought the ratification of the U.S. Constitution for protection for individual rights; read this...