Other
Constitutional Principle: Charles Pinckney and Separation of Church and State
A short article describing Pinckney's views on religion and the role of the state. Excerpted from a book by Anson Phelps Stokes.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Katz v. United States
Katz v. United States altered the meaning of the 4th Amendment, the right to search and seizure, appealing his case in 1967 regarding the investigator's use of electronic surveillance. Oyez features the facts and recordings from the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Checks and Balances
Overview of the principle of checks and balances proposed in the Federalist Papers.
Digital History
Digital History: American Revolution: Introduction
The American Revolution included so much more than just the War for Independence. Read about why it was the first modern revolution and discover the principles that the American revolutionaries were fighting for.
Other
American Revolution: Those Glorious "Principles of 1776": Confederate Perspective
This site explains the Southern perspective on the voluntary union of states and the justification for the South seceding from the Union.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is Authority? [Pdf]
This in-depth lesson teaches the meaning of authority, the benefits and drawbacks of someone having authority over another person, where authority comes from and who uses it, how it helps to solve problems, and how leaders are chosen....
American Public Media
American Radio Works: The Southern Manifesto
The Southern Manifesto, written in opposition to the racial integration of public places and condemning the Supreme Court's 1954 school desegregation decision, was signed by 101 congressmen from the Deep South.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Federal System
Outline of the principles embedded in a Federal System of government attempting to balance states' rights with the need for a central government.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Provided here are the principles and sources of France's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a basic charter of human liberty that later led to the French Revolution and the French Constitution.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Human Nature, Government and Individual Rights
Overview discussion of the views held by Madison and Hamilton that people, in general, need to have written into the law certain checks and balances to guard against abuse of power, protect individual rights and encompass a pluralistic...
Other
A Republic, if You Can Keep It
An essay by U.S. Congressional Representative Ron Paul of Texas on the state of the American republic delivered at the dawn of the twenty-first century. He argues for the strong separation of powers among the three branches of government...
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).
Other
Parliament of Canada: The Rule of Law and the Courts
Late Canadian Senator Eugene A. Forsey left a public legacy to all Canadians including this website hosted by the Parliament of Canada. In this article, he introduces important legal principles that underpin the Canadian court system,...
Ohio Test Prep
Ohio Test Prep: Module 3: Historical Documents
Ohio test preparation material on the important historical documents from which the principles of U.S. democracy are reflected. With video tutorials, practice, and assessment.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
PBS features a summary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison, which deals with the principle of "judicial review." Opinion written by Chief Justice John Marshall.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Cause for Debate
The Constitution creates separate institutions that must share power, there will always be disputes over the basic principles. Check out some of the hot issues (term limits, electoral college, judicial review) that are in dispute even to...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Plessy vs. Ferguson
Transcript of the infamous Supreme Court decision that established the constitutionality of the principle of "Separate but equal," public facilities for members of different races. This was eventually overturned by the 1954 and 1955...
Other
Constitutional Principle: Jefferson's Letters to Attorney General Levi Lincoln
This letter discusses Thomas Jefferson's views on the separation of church and state.
University of California
Ucla: Manas: History and Politics: Public Interest Litigation
Though the Constitution of India guarantees equal rights to all citizens, irrespective of race, gender, religion, and other considerations, and the "directive principles of state policy" as stated in the Constitution obligate the...
Other
Representative Democracy Has Failed
This politically oriented site outlines the degeneration of American Democracy and the erosion of democratic principles as exemplified by unconstitutional actions on the part of the Federal and State governments, as in the examples of...
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Bill of Rights
History for Kids reference page provides an overview of the Bill of Rights, outlining each of the ten amendments, and teaching about the history and principles of the U.S. Consitution and first ten amendments.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Annotation 10: Sixth Amendment: Assistance to Council
This article uses specific court cases to show how the right to counsel at trial was developed into the present day standard.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: The Legacy of Ronald Reagan [Pdf]
This lesson traces Ronald Reagan's ascent from obscurity to the pinnacle of political power in the United States. It also examines the constitutional, political, and civic principles associated with the public life of Ronald Reagan...