Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Constitutional Government
Article outlining the events which ultimately led to the development and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The author explains the components of the Constitution and how those pieces were debated and agreed upon.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Ratification of the Constitution Introduction
An overview of the process of ratification which occurred following the Constitutional Convention proposed the first version of the Constitution. Meet the primary contributors and understand the six stages of the ratification.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Ratifying the Constitution
The process for ratifying the United States Constitution is explained in simple terms. Suggestions for research projects, resource links, and some activities are included. The rest of the site has lots more information on the U. S....
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.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Ratification of the Constitution by the State of South Carolina
The text of the document signed by the legislature of South Carolina ratifying the U. S. Constitution.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation
Using primary texts and prior study of Colonial America and the Revolution, students examine "what type of government would best represent the ideals of the American Revolution." Worksheets, discussions, and role-playing within this...
Other
Tench Coxe and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, 1787 1823
A scholarly article about Tench Coxe, his support for ratifying the Constitution, the roles he played in the Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison administrations, and especially his analysis and defense of the Second Amendment.
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: The Antifederalists' Victory in Defeat
By 1788 eleven states ratified the Constitution, more than enough to put it into effect as the document establishing rules for the nation. Read about the goals of the Federalists in estabilishing a national government and find out how...
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.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Virginia Ratifying Convention
Primary source text of Patrick Henry's speech objecting to the Constitution, June, 1788.
Digital History
Digital History: Slavery and the Slave Trade [Pdf]
Read reconstructions of debates by delegates to the Constitutional Convention as they attempted to come to terms with slavery, the slave trade, and how to address the issue in the Constitution so all states would be willing to ratify it....
Quia
Quia: Hangman the Order of the 13 Original States
Play hangman while remembering the order of the thirteen original states. After reading the clue, simply click on the letters to begin revealing the answer.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Federalist Papers
In the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay made the case for ratifying the new US Constitution.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: u.s. History Module: Did Founders Want Government to Work? [Pdf]
A comprehensive learning module on the system of government established by the founders that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and primary source materials, followed by a summative performance task....
Library of Congress
Loc: The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
Help students grasp the idea of making amendments with this lesson on the debates of the amendments to the US Constitution. Use primary sources to have the students choose their own amendments, give them opportunity to analyze the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1754 1800: The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution guarantee citizens' essential freedoms and rights.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: "In Doors": Ratification in State Conventions
Strengthen understanding of the ratification of the Constitution. Study the state ratification conventions of Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York.
University of Oregon
Intro to u.s. Politics: Anti Federalist and Federalist Models of a Republic
In chart form, review the major differences between the political ideas of the Federalists and the Antifederalists, including a comparison on the nature of representation, sovereignty, legislative deliberation, governmental legitimacy,...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: James Madison
James Madison's slight stature and reserved personality gave little indication of his keen intellect and shrewd nature. No other Founder had as much influence in crafting, ratifying, and interpreting the United States Constitution and...
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...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: Women Suffrage Before the Amendment, August 1, 1920
A map of the United States showing the progression of suffrage prior to the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution, ratified on August 18, 1920. "The map shows the status of women suffrage, or the right of women to vote on an equality...
Curated OER
John Dickinson
A good biography of John Dickinson (1732-1808 CE). He was one of the delegates to the Constitutional convention from Delaware. He was a strong supporter of the new Constitution and as a result, Delaware became the first state to ratify...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Rhode Island, 1898
A map from 1898 of Rhode Island, "One of the thirteen original States and smallest in the Union; supposed temporary settlement of Icelanders as early as 1000. Settled by Roger Williams at Providence 1636. Island of Aquidneck (Rhode...