Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Legislative Branch
Article covers the Legislative Branch of Government, the branch that makes the laws, and its connection to the US Constitution.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Branches of Government
This article contains a useful guide to the functions of the three US Branches of Government that make, enforce, or interprets laws.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: The Three Fifths Compromise
The Three-Fifths Compromise that was presented at the Constitutional Convention resolved the issue of counting slaves towards the population in regards to representation in the House of Representatives.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: The Great Compromise
Covers details of the Great Compromise which was presented at the Constitutional Convention. It consisted of the idea of proportional representation in the lower house (House of Representatives) and equal representation of the states in...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Slave Trade Compromise
The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise was reached at the Constitutional Convention by stating that Congress could not prohibit the slave trade until 1808, but that any imported slaves could be taxed.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays that promoted the ratification of the United States Constitution and the nature of a Republican government.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Drafting the Constitution
Problems with the new government of the United States led to rethinking the rules of governing. Read a brief overview of what the results were.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, made by the second American Continental Congress and adopted July 4, 1776, announced the separation of the original thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain making them into the United...
US National Archives
Nara: The Magna Carta
One of the historical events that led to the creation of the limited government of the United States, the Magna Carta was written in 1215 as a promise from King John of England to his demanding barons. It put English kings under the rule...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Government Glossary
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson Activotes are used to access student's prior knowledge of the principles of the US constitutional government. Student knows the essential principles stated in the US Constitution-...
Other
Gunston Hall Plantation: "The Great Business Now Before Us"
In 1787, America was having big problems. There was no single type of money, or currency, in the new nation. States were arguing over trade issues and local boundaries. Each state seemed to see itself as independent and self-governing...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iv: National Supremacy
This resource provides a review of Clause 2, Article VI, "Supremacy of the Constitution, Laws and Treaties."
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Vi
This resource provides links to papers written about Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. Sample topics include: Validity of Prior Debts and Engagements, Supremacy of the Constitution, National Supremacy, the Power of Congress in Respect...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iii: Organizations of Court, Tenure, & Compensation
This resource covers Article III, Section 1, which focuses on the judicial branch of the United States government.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: U S. Constitution: Annotation 18: First Amendment
Information about the boundaries of seditious speech and the permissibility of governmental measures which are directly concerned with the content of expression.
Digital History
Digital History: Hamilton, Jefferson, First National Bank of the Us [Pdf]
As with so many other ideas, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were on opposite sides of the formation of a national bank. Read why Hamilton thought it was a great idea, why Jefferson opposed it, and what they each wrote to...
US Mint
United States Mint: Branches of Power
Save the federal government from Oppressor Sam, and learn about the US Constitution to restore the three branches of government.
iCivics
I Civics: The Federalist Debate
The ratification debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists gives us insight into the ideas behind both sides and a better understanding of how our government developed in its early years.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: The Articles of Confederation
This article summarizes the Articles of Confederation, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it led to the Constitution.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Political Experience
Read about how the state governments in the new American nation served as the laboratory to try out new ideas of governing and treating citizens. See how remarkably similar the ideas put forth in state constitutions were to each other.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Antifederalists
The Anti-federalists, those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, were a diverse group. They did have specific fears about carrying out the precepts of the Constitution. Read about their fears, especially the main one, no...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Tough Issues
Read about the change of plans when delegates to the Philadelphia convention decided to write a new constitution to replace the Articles of Convention. See the ideas delegates had to address concerns of large and small states.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Articles of Confederation
This lesson looks at the development of the constitutional government in the United States. Students use technology to explore history concepts.
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...