Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Age of Jefferson and Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] After a brief description of Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's contributions to the early ideology and government of the new United States in their authorship of the Declaration of Independence and...
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Core Documents of u.s.democracy
Direct online access to the basic Federal Government documents that define our democratic society, a core group of current and historical Government publications.
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]
History Tools
History Tools: Centinel Criticizes the Proposed Constitution [Pdf]
Historical document excerpt written in opposition to federalist proposal, October, 1787. Argued against the formation of a federal government and criticized the proposed Constitution. Numbered paragraphs added and spelling modernized.
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...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: John Jay
A brief biography of John Jay's life and political career. Discusses his role in the First Continental Congress and authoring of three articles that are now collectively known as "The Federalist."
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...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Separation of Powers
Informative discussion of the ideas behind the Constitutional principle of Separation of Powers.
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 Missouri
Famous Trials: Alexander Hamilton Biography
This excellent biography of Alexander Hamilton is part of the University of Missouri's "Famous Trials" site. With text links to personal letters and other documents written by Hamilton.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton
A biography of Alexander Hamilton from the documentary program AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Duel, produced by PBS.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: John Jay
Read an informative biography, a list of facts providing an overview of Chief Justice John Jay and his political career, and the he cases that he worked on are included. To access all information on John Jay, select links from the...
Other
The Online Library of Liberty: Alexander Hamilton
Provides brief biographical details on Alexander Hamilton with links to electronic versions of books he has authored that can be viewed in their original text.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Living the Revolution: America, 1789 1820: Politics
Primary source materials from the post-Revolutionary War period in America, 1789-1820, which depict the sense of politics in a newly formed nation with a developing national identity. Includes reading guide, questions for discussion and...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton
One of our original Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton was a controversial figure. This PBS site allows you to watch excerpts from a two-hour long documentary on his life and role in US history. Provides a detailed timeline that gives...
Other
National Council for the Social Studies: Selecting Supreme Court Justices
A panel discusses the questions of whether the Senate or President hold more power in selecting Supreme Court Justices, the impact of interest groups on the process, and whether changes need to be made to the confirmation process. Along...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: John Jay
This article chronicles the life of John Jay, one of America's founding fathers and the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. Includes a portrait and illustrations.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America
[Free Registration/Login Required] A marvelous look at the life of Alexander Hamilton shown through primary documents in this interactive site.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Themepark: Liberty: United States Historical Documents
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around historical documents. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Brutus No. 1
This resource from Khan Academy provides the full text of Brutus I. This lesson is intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including the AP Government course.
The History Place
The History Place: A New Nation (1784 to 1790)
This site from The History Place provides a timeline of American history between 1784 and 1790. Mentions many famous people and events of the era. Links to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, James Madison, the Constitution, Bill...
Other
Left Justified: Founding Fathers
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Alexander Hamilton: Lawyer, Writer, and Founding Father
Through a short video and an analysis of two primary sources, young scholars will examine the life of Alexander Hamilton, an important military and political leader.
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.