University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Drafting the Constitution
Essay covers from the Articles of Confederation and the problems of disunity of the new states after the Revolutionary War, internally as well as externally, to the Constitutional Convention, an attempt to address the Articles' problems....
CNN
Cnn: 'People Making Decisions Hesitated'
Report that explores the reaction of local, state, and federal government officials to Hurricane Katrina. Report is from September, 2005.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Unsettled Domestic Issues
The new United States government faced many threats to its success. Read this overview of the possible problems.
Other
Certiorari Practice: The Supreme Court's Shrinking Docket
Recent legislation has allowed the Supreme Court discretionary, rather than obligatory powers, in deciding which cases to decide. This in-depth and well-developed essay describes the process and criticizes the new system, while providing...
A&E Television
History.com: Hurricane Katrina
Early in the morning on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States. While the storm itself did a great deal of damage, its aftermath was catastrophic Levee breaches led to massive flooding, the federal...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
National Park Services provides an overview of the Trail of Tears, a nine state wide stretch of America the Cherokee Indians were pushed across by the Federal government in the 1830s.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: President Obama's Allowance
In this lesson, young scholars will identify different expenses in the US budget and will decide on the order of importance for different expenses.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Legislative Branch, the Senate
Activities that students can use to understand the job of the US Senate, and become more engaged in the legislative process.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Role of the Supreme Court
This essay describes the power of the Supreme Court to 'check' the actions of both the President and Congress, with some historic documentation.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Founders Quotes
Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood. -...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The United States Capitol Building
A comprehensive site that provides three lesson plans which explain what takes place in the U.S. Capitol Building. This thorough site describes the function of the Capitol Building and includes many photos of both the building itself and...
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.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Radio Fever
Radio created a mass entertainment culture that could bridge the gap between those in California and those in New York. Read about the advent of radio stations, and the companies that owned them. See why the federal government had to...
Other
Kansas History: The Last Land Rush
A brief description of the land rush onto the Cherokee Strip, land sold by the Cherokees to the U.S. government in 1891.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Spain
Detailed information about Spain from a 1998 publication of the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. You can find information about the history, geography, government, economy, and people of Spain.
OpenStax
Open Stax: u.s. History: The Westward Spirit
From a chapter on America's expansion westward in a history textbook. This section looks at how Americans felt about westward expansion in the mid-1800s, and ways that the federal government promoted migration. Includes review questions.
US Navy
U.s. Military History and National Security
An internet guide to US military history and national security. Includes links to the history of the US armed forces and specific branches as well as information on the different federal organizations involved in national security.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Red Scare
A dark side to the Jazz Age was the increase in the fear of Communism. Read about the federal government's actions to stem anything that was thought to threaten American security.
Curated OER
Etc: United States During the Civil War, 1861 1865
A map of the United Stated during the American Civil War (1861-1865) showing State and territory boundaries, with dates of statehood for the territories from 1796 to 1861. The map is color-coded to show the Union States, Confederate...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: United States and Confederate States, 1861
A map of the United States and Confederate States in 1861. The map is color-coded to show Free Union States, Slave Union States, Confederate States seceding before April 15, 1861, Confederate States seceding after April 15, 1861,...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: United States at the Outbreak of the Civil War, 1861
A map of the United States and territories in 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War. The map is color-coded to show the Union Free States, the Confederate States seceded before April 15, 1861, the Confederate States seceded after April...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: The Plight of the Indians
This site explains how as westward expansion grew, more and more Indians encountered settlers, ranchers and miners who sought life, land, and riches out West. Conflicts between settlers and Indians soon involved the federal government...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The Legislative Branch: House of Representatives
Read a brief synopsis of the House of Representatives in the Legislative Branch, and then complete the short quiz to check for understanding.
USA Today
Usa Today: Washington Politics
Resource provides the top news in U.S. Politics in brief. Content includes a focus on the president, senate, house, state governors, legislatures, and initiatives.