Ashbrook Center at Ashland University
The Constitutional Convention
Imagine sitting down with representatives of your school to write a new student handbook. What arguments would ensue? How would compromises be made to finish the project? Scholars research the Constitutional Convention using a directory...
ProCon
Electoral College
The Electoral College's role in elections is sometimes confusing and controversial. Pupils use a debate topics website to research the pros and cons of the practice to debate whether the United States should still use the Electoral...
US National Archives
Nara: Founding Fathers: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides biographies of all 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Digital History
Digital History: The Founding Fathers' Motives [Pdf]
Read some historians' views about the Founding Fathers and their interests, perhaps economic, in writing the Constitution. Historians' views have changed over time, and in the suggested student exercises, students are asked to assess...
Other
Founding Fathers
Find information about the founding fathers and what they accomplished. Presents the Federalist Papers, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and The U.S. Constitution. Also includes images, quotes, a history of the...
Other
Constitution Day
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who, are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens. Learn about each of...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Franklin
A brief review of the life of one of the founding fathers of the United States. Learn about the important events in the life of Ben Franklin - inventor, patriot, musician, scientist, statesman, and more. (In Spanish)
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Branches of Government
A brief overview of the origins of the three branches of the federal government, with links to more in-depth information about each branch. Also discusses the concerns of the Founding Fathers about creating a government that had...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Signing the Constitution
This site has a brief summary that describes the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This group is sometimes called the "Founding Fathers."
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: Temple of Liberty
The Library of Congress presents research materials about the building of the United States Capitol. Conceiving of themselves as inheritors, guardians, and conveyors of Western civilization, our founding fathers slowly built a Capitol...
Other
Mr. Lincoln and the Founders
Authors of this site look at Lincoln and his deep-seated passion for the ideals of the Founding Fathers.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson's Library
Resource showcases the holdings of Thomas Jefferson's personal library built around the themes of memory, reason, and imagination.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Portrait of George Washington
Historical information on famous painting of George Washington by Pearle, with interactive features to click and learn meaning behind items in the portrait and links to an in-depth history of the painting as well as virtual visit to the...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Religious Rights in Conflict
What happens when rights conflict? Explore sample conflicts: Free press vs. fair trial, religious rights in conflict, and Singapore: model society or city of fear? Great learning activities and lesson plans for teachers and students.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Amazing Americans
Checklist of inventors, politicians, performers, activists, and ordinary people who made America. Meet Harry Houdini, Langston Hughes, Buffalo Bill Cody and dozens of other famous and interesting American adventurers, presidents,...
Digital History
Digital History: Religious Freedom and the Founders
Read the background for the Founding Fathers' support of freedom of religion and separation of church and state. Included are parts of letters in which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson celebrate the fact that the United States was...
Robin Chew
Samuel Adams: American Patriot & Politician
Read a brief overview of the life of Samuel Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Links to other resources about Adams are included.
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: The Role of the House
Why did the founding fathers create two separate chambers in Congress - the House of Representatives and Senate? Find out the reasons for the dual chamber and the responsibilities of each one. Included is a glossary and printable puzzles...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Federal Versus State Government
Learning Adventure teaches about the differences between federal and state governments as written in the Constitution and shares reasons the founding fathers wanted it this way.
Aaron Shepherd
Aaron's Storybook: Folktales
Many folktale resources are offered here. Texts of stories, "extras" including music and audio files, posters and background information can be found for some stories.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
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]
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: George Washington as Chairman
Overview of the significant contributions of George Washington and his importance as an early leader in forming the U.S. government.