Library of Congress
Loc: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention: Elliot's Debates
Here one can view the five volumes of The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, which were put together by Jonathan Elliot in the mid-1800s. These debates extend from September 1787 to...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Resolution of the Constitutional Convention
The text of the Resolution of the Constitutional Convention authorizing the submission of the Constitution of the United States to the legislatures of the states to be ratified by state conventions.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Popular Basis of Political Authority
This speech, "The Address and Reasons of Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania to Their Constituents," contains some of the arguments for opposing the Constitution.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: John Tyler, Virginia Ratifying Convention
The original text of a statement by John Tyler, member of the Virginia Constitutional Ratifying Convention, on his opposition to the new Constitution.
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The Constitutional Convention of 1787
One word can sum up the Constitutional Convention of 1787 - compromise. Find out which compromises were made and by which groups of people and/or states. This expansive site includes background on the convention, primary source...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Resolution & Letter to the Congress
The original and complete text of the letter approved by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787 recommending the newly adopted U.S. Constitution to the Congress and the states for ratification.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: Constitutional Convention and Ratification
A quick comprehension check over the Constitutional Convention and debates over ratification.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Ratification and Bill of Rights
This site is provided for by the University of Groningen. Learn about the struggle for approval by the states of the U.S. Constitution, continuous disagreements after the Constitutional Convention between the Federalists and the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Ratification
This site from the University of Groningen provides a synopsis chronologically written on the ratification of the U.S. Constitution beginning with the first states who accepted the document to pressures exerted by the Federalists to...
US Department of State
Office of the Historian: Constitutional Convention and Ratification
Among the many weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the government to conduct foreign policy in an effective manner. Find out how the Constitutional Convention addressed this issue by allowing the Executive...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Constitutional Convention
Shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War, American leaders realized that the nation needed a new, stronger Constitution. But what would the new system of government look like?
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution in Action: Articles V,vi,vii (Lab Team 6)
In this activity students will analyze Senator Lyndon B. Johnson's Oath of Office and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article V,VI, or VII of the Constitution in action.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Ratification of the Constitution by the State of North Carolina
The original text of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by the State of North Carolina. Included is a list of the legislators.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Connecticut
The original text of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by the state of Connecticut with a list of legislators.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Maryland
The original text of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by the state assembly of Maryland with a list of the legislators.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Ratification of the Constitution by the State of New York
The original text of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by the State of New York.
![Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: The Debate Over Ratifying the Constitution [Pdf]
Read about why ratification of the United States' new constitution was such a struggle. Find arguments for and against ratification, and discover who supported the Federalist position and who the Anti-Federalist position. [PDF]
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Ratifying the Constitution
The delegates to the Constititional Convention produced a new governing document for the new United States. Read about how they determined to take the ratification process to the people of the states.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Ratification Process: State by State
The ratification of the Constitution was placed at the hands of the state legislatures. Read about which states supported the ratification, which were opposed, and why. Find out why, even after the requisite number of states had voted...
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: American Revolution: The Argument Over the Constitution
The National Humanities Center provides a full-length essay on the constitutional debate during the time of the Constitutional Convention.
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The u.s. Constitution: Framing, Principles and Ratification [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining how the Articles of Confederation were replaced with the Constitution and the compromises that were reached during debates.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Constitution: The Work Begins
Discover how the Constitution was initiated and read about the Constitutional Congress. After learning about the beginning stages of the Constitution, take a quiz to show your learning.
Digital History
Digital History: Ratifying the Constitution
After the Constitution was written, debated, and finally adopted by the Constitutional Convention, it was sent to the states to ratify. Read about the fears of those who did not want to ratify it and see how their fears were addressed.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Notes From Virginia Ratifying Convention
Edmund Randolph's notes taken at the state convention of Virginia on ratification of the new Constitution.