University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Constitutional Convention
George Washington wrote of the period between the Treaty of Paris and the writing of the Constitution that the states were united only by a "rope of sand."Disputes between Maryland and Virginia over navigation on the Potomac River led to...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: United States and Confederate States, 1861
A map of the United States and Confederate States in 1861. The map is color-coded to show Free Union States, Slave Union States, Confederate States seceding before April 15, 1861, Confederate States seceding after April 15, 1861,...
Curated OER
Etc: United States During the Civil War, 1861 1865
A map of the United Stated during the American Civil War (1861-1865) showing State and territory boundaries, with dates of statehood for the territories from 1796 to 1861. The map is color-coded to show the Union States, Confederate...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: United States at the Outbreak of the Civil War, 1861
A map of the United States and territories in 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War. The map is color-coded to show the Union Free States, the Confederate States seceded before April 15, 1861, the Confederate States seceded after April...
Other
Civics Online: (Re)envisioning the Democratic Community
Civics Online offers teachers, students, and parents many excellent resources to enhance the learning of civics in the classroom and at home.
US Department of Justice
U.s. Department of Justice: Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
A complete government description of Section 3789d of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, which explicitly prohibits the federal government from controlling state or local police agencies, and which explicitly...
iCivics
I Civics: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that interpreted the Commerce and Supremacy Clauses of the U.S. Constitution and affirmed the federal government's superiority with regard to its enumerated powers....
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Nullification Crisis
This resource explains the conflict between Jackson and the state of South Carolina over the state's right to nullify federal tariffs. This conflict almost brought armed conflict between the federal government and the state.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Luther v. Borden
In the spring of 1842, Rhode Island had two governors and two legislatures. One government was committed to retaining the old colonial charter, which severely limited voting rights, as the state's constitution. The other government, led...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Presidency of George Washington
As the first president of the United States, George Washington set several important precedents for the federal government.
US Senate
Joint Economic Committee
The Joint Economic Committee, composed of memebers from both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, reviews economic conditions and recommends improvements in economic policy. The content of the website includes...
A&E Television
History.com: How Interstate Highways Gutted Communities and Reinforced Segregation
America's interstate highway system cut through the heart of dozens of urban neighborhoods. Congress approved the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, authorizing what was then the largest public works program in U.S. history. It promised to...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Immigration to America: Stories and Travels
This activity asks students to match documents to individuals based on the reasons these people came to and were living in the United States. The photographs and documents are attached to government forms in some of the millions of...
BBC
Bbc: News: Country Profile: United Arab Emirates
BBC News presents a general overview of the United Arab Emirates which is a federation of seven states. Focus is on history, current information, country facts, political leaders, and news media. Provides links to a timeline of key...
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...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Why Cities Provide Tax Breaks
Like the state and federal government, local governments offer tax incentives to businesses to help solve economic and/or environmental problems. In this instructional activity, students will explore three different cities and determine...
Digital History
Digital History: Challenges Facing the Nation
The new United States had no blueprint to follow in establishing a new democratic government. Read about the challenges facing the new nation, and how it dealt with ways to make the government work.
CNN
Cnn: 'People Making Decisions Hesitated'
Report that explores the reaction of local, state, and federal government officials to Hurricane Katrina. Report is from September, 2005.
BBC
Bbc: Powell Criticises Storm Response
The federal government faced a great deal of criticism for its response to Hurricane Katrina, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Report is from September 2005.
Other
Streetlaw: Careers in the Law
If you are interested in being an attorney, corrections officer, court reporter, forensic scientist, police officer, judge or government agent, check out this description of several legal careers. Learn about salary, required education,...
Kansas Historical Society
Kansas Historical Society: Who's the Boss: Kindergarten [Pdf]
This is a comprehensive lesson plan for early elementary students to research and present information (PDF format). Students will learn through primary sources the chain of command that we all must live under. Students will consider...
iCivics
I Civics: Nationbuilder in Chief
Students learn about some of the decisions and actions the first presidential administrations took to make sure the United States would be strong enough to last.
A&E Television
History.com: How the u.s. Constitution Has Changed and Expanded Since 1787
Through amendments and legal rulings, the Constitution has transformed in some critical ways. The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, is the world's longest-surviving written...
A&E Television
History.com: Hurricane Katrina
Early in the morning on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States. While the storm itself did a great deal of damage, its aftermath was catastrophic Levee breaches led to massive flooding, the federal...