Library of Congress
Loc: The New Nation, 1783 1815
The links in the New Nation, which is provided for by the Library of Congress, will lead you to sets of selected primary sources on a variety of topics,such as the Constitution, governmental policy on Native Americans, and problems and...
![Digital History: The Road to Philadelphia [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: The Road to Philadelphia [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: The Road to Philadelphia [Pdf]
The new United States government had many problems under the Articles of Confederation. Find out what these problems were, but also discover some of the successes accomplished under that constitution. [pdf]
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Branches of Government
Beginning page of a Learning Adventure examines what parts of the Constitution give the branches of the Federal Government their specific powers. Those three parts are Article I, Article II, and Article III.
iCivics
I Civics: Wanted: A Just Right Government
Look at the tensions and differences of opinion that existed among early American states and citizens. Learn about the Articles of Confederation, why the first "constitution" didn't work, and how compromise led to the Constitution.
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...
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.
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Archives & Records: Jared Ingersoll (1749 1822)
This article gives highlights on the career of this delegate from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention. Ingersoll was considered one of the best lawyers in Philadelphia at that time.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: William Few
This article provides background biographical information on William Few, one of the delegates from Georgia to the Constitutional Convention, and who later served as a United States Senator.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Nicholas Gilman
A detailed article on the life of Nicholas Gilman, one of the delegates from New Hampshire to the Constitutional Convention. He later served as a Congressman and Senator.
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: John Langdon
This article summarizes the life of John Langdon, one of the delegates from New Hampshire to the Constitutional Convention. It gives details on his personal life, military and political careers.
Other
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, South Carolina
A short but nice biographical article on the life of this delegate from South Carolina to the Constitutional Convention. Also he served in the American Revolution.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Resource Study: Charles Pinckney National Historic Site [Pdf]
A scholarly publication which examines the archaeological findings of Snee Farm, the plantation and house owned by Charles Pinckney, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from South Carolina. Click on "Table of Contents" to get a...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tough Issues
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
A&E Television
History.com: Continental Congress
From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. The First Continental Congress, which was comprised of delegates from the colonies, met in 1774 in reaction to...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: United States Bill of Rights
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia gives some background history to the creation of the Bill of Rights and contains a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
iCivics
I Civics: Federalists & Anti Federalists
Look at the debate and eventual compromise, between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists that occurred around the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Republic
This detailed article defines the term republic, discusses the characteristics of a republican government, examines significant republican governments throughout history, and looks at different types of republican governments in the...
Other
James Grimmerlmann: Copyright, Technology, and Access to the Law
Articles on technology and access to the law. The author discusses some innovative features of the Code from a legal standpoint, such as the number index system and the stele used to inscribe the laws.
Other
Why the Fifth Amendment? By Howard Fast
This article, written by Howard Fast in 1954, attacks the government and Senator Joseph McCarthy for leading away from the rights protected by the amendment.
Other
Fundamentals of Judicial Philosophy: Activism
This short article discusses judicial restraint versus judicial activism, with constitutional and case study references.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is the Role of the President?
The president has great power granted to him under Article II of the Constitution, while at the same time extensive limits have been placed to keep that power in check. This source contains extensive background on these powers and...
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Royal Wedding Highlights Challenges for Modern Monarchies
Article provides an easy-to-understand description of the royal family in Britain and an explanation of the term constitutional monarchy. April, 2011
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Thailand: Government
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy , but the king has little power. Find out how the government works in this current article based on information from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.