| 1.1.3 The U.S. Constitution |
| Origins of the Constitution |
| | Guided Readings: The US Constitution and the Bill of Rights
|
| | Learn about the following topics: The Oldest Written National Framework of Government, Was the Constitutional Convention legal? The Delegates, Philadelphia in 1787, The Convention, Republicanism, Drafting the Constitution, Compromises, Completing a Final Draft, The U.S. Constitution and the Organization of the National Government, The Constitution and Slavery, Ratifying the Constitution, The Bill of Rights, Amending the Constitution, Why has the Constitution survived? How has the constitutional system changed? |
| |
| | The Founders Constitution
|
| | An amazing online book that explores the origins, key documents, and issues of debate surrounding the United States Constitution. |
| |
| | Foundations of Our Constitution
|
| | These lessons are designed to help students explore documents that serve as the foundation for American democracy. Each lesson consists of three components: a reading with discussion questions, an interactive activity, and the complete text of the document that the lesson explores. |
| |
| | The Constitution
|
| | From the National Archives, an image of the original document and a summary history of its creation. |
| |
| | First Federal Congress
|
| | This exhibit provides an overview of the work of and issues faced by this seminal Congress, fleshing out the governmental structure outlined in the Constitution and addressing the difficult issues left unresolved by the Constitution. |
| |
| | The Bill of Rights - U.Oregon
|
| | Many Americans did not like the Constitution because they felt that a strong federal government could take away people`s rights. Therefore, most Americans wanted a bill of rights added onto the Constitution. Learn all about the Bill of Rights here! |
| |
| | History of the Constitution
|
| | A great overview of the development and creation of the U.S. Constitution - from the National Archives! |
| |
| | Worldbook - History of the Constitution
|
| | A great feature that explores the Constitution and its origins. |
| |
| | History of the Declaration of Independence
|
| | Extensive history of the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives. |
| |
| | Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention Timeline
|
| | A great chronology from the Library of Congress. |
| |
| | Constitution - WAFC
|
| | From the World Almanac for Kids, an amazing site that explores the origins and contents of the US Constitution. |
| |
| | History - Declaration of Independence
|
| | History of the crafting of the Declaration of Independence. |
| |
| | USHistory.org - Declaration of Independence
|
| | An extensive series of resources relating to the history of the Declaration of Independence. |
| |
| | Declaration Hits the Road
|
| | A great feature from Scholastic.com that commemorates the coast-to-caost journey of an original copy of the US Declaration of Independence. |
| |
| | The Founding Fathers: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
|
| | In all, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. View biographies of each delegate at this site! |
| |
| | The Articles of Confederation
|
| | Short history of the documents, with a link to the full text online. |
| |
| | Democracy Papers
|
| | Readings on the following topics: The Root Principles
of Democracy;
Constitutionalism: America and Beyond;
The Principles of Democratic Elections;
Federalism and Democracy;
The Creation of Law in a Democratic Society ... and more!
|
| |
| | Basic Reading in US Democracy
|
| | The full text of over 80 important documents in the history of the U.S. - including freedom documents (Declaration of Independence, The Constitution), essays, Supreme Court Decisions ... and much more! |
| |
| | Magna Carta - Avalon Project
|
| | From Yale University, the full, annotated text of this historic document. |
| |
| | Magna Carta - National Archives
|
| | From the US National Archives, an image of the Magna Carta with overview text. |
| |
| | New Jersey Plan
|
| | A summary of the Small State Plan. |
| |
| | Mayflower Compact
|
| | The full contents of the Mayflower Compact, with overview text. |
| |
| | Mayflower Compact - Avalon Project
|
| | he full text of the document - from Yale University. |
| |
| | Virginia Plan
|
| | A summary of the Large State Plan. |
| |
| | English Bill of Rights - Avalon Project
|
| | From Yale University, the full text of this historic document. |
| |
| 20th Century Constitutional Amendments |
| | Amendments to the Constitution
|
| | Overviews of every Constitutional Amendment. |
| |
| | Constitution Online - Amending the Constitution
|
| | A guide to the amendment process. |
| |
| | History of Ratified Amendments
|
| | Each Amendment to the Constitution came about for a reason - to overrule a Supreme Court decision, to force a societal change, or to revise the details of the Constitution. This page will give an overview of how each Amendment came to be.
|
| |
| | Amendment 16 - Income Tax
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 17 - Popular Election of Senators
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 18 - Prohibition
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Temperance and Prohibition
|
| | An Ohio State multimedia project that explores the prohibition era. |
| |
| | Amendment 19 - Womens Suffrage
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Womens Suffrage: The 19th Amendment
|
| | This site offers Primary Sources, Activities, and Links to Related Web Sites for Educators and Students. An excellent resource from the National Archives and Records Administration! |
| |
| | Timeline: One Hundred Years Toward Suffrage
|
| | A chronology of events leading to the ratification of the 19th amendment.
|
| |
| | Votes for Women
|
| | A collection of texts on womens suffrage from the Library of Congress.
|
| |
| | 75 Suffragists
|
| | A series of brief biographical sketches of the women who led the fight for the right to vote.
|
| |
| | Womens Suffrage Timeline 1910-1919
|
| | A chronological overview of the events immediately prior to the ratification of the 19th amendment.
|
| |
| | Amendment 20 - Commencement of the Terms of the President...
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 21 - Repeal of Prohibition
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 23 - Electors for D.C.
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 24 - Poll Tax Repeal
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 25 - Presidential Vacancy
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| | Amendment 26 - Reduced Voting Age
|
| | An overview of the history and purpose of this amendment. |
| |
| Equal Justice Under the Law |
| | Oyez Directory: Civil Rights
|
| | A complete guide to Supreme Court decisions on Civil Rights - from the Oyez Project. |
| |
| | Civil Rights: An Overview
|
| | An annotated, hyperlinked overview of civil rights law, fro the Cornell Legal Information Institute. |
| |
| | Criminal Law: An Overview
|
| | An annotated, hyperlinked overview of criminal law, from the Cornell Legal Information Institute. |
| |
| | Oyez Directory: Criminal Procedure
|
| | A complete guide to Supreme Court decisions on Criminal Procedure - from the Oyez Project. |
| |
| | Oyez Directory: Due Process
|
| | A complete guide to Supreme Court decisions on Due Process - from the Oyez Project. |
| |
| | Exploring Constitutional Conflicts
|
| | This site explores some of the great issues and controversies that surround our Nation`s founding document. You can also learn about the Supreme Court - including its history and current cases - and the justices
who have served on it. |
| |
| | Landmark Supreme Court Cases
|
| | This site was developed to provide a full range of resources and activities to support the teaching of landmark Supreme Court cases, helping students explore the key issues of each case. |
| |
| | Dred Scott Case
|
| | The records displayed in this exhibit document the Scotts early struggle to gain their freedom through litigation and are the only extant records of this significant case as it was heard in the St. Louis Circuit Court. |
| |
| | Brown vs. Board of Education
|
| | From the National Historic Site for BvB, an overview of the case, its impact and related precedents. |
| |
| | Dred Scott v. Sandford
|
| | An overview of the 1857 decision that denied slaves citizenship, and freedom even when in free-soil states.
|
| |
| | Dred Scott Decision
|
| | An analysis of the Supreme Court decision of 1857, and its effects on the nation. Includes discussion of: America in 1857, Case Background, In the Federal Judicial System, The Supreme Courts Decision, Republican Reaction, Democratic Reaction, The Impact of Dred Scott. |
| |
| | Plessy vs. Ferguson
|
| | Learn here about the case that established the Separate But Equal doctrine in American law. |
| |
| | An Ordinary Crime
|
| | This PBS/Frontline site investigates the bizarre case of Terence Garner. Explore how a man who may be innocent can be convicted of a crime and how difficult it can be for the justice system to correct its own errors. |
| |
| The Supreme Court |
| | U.S. Supreme Court
|
| | The online home of the highest court in the U.S. |
| |
| | U.S. Court System
|
| | An access page for all of the online resources of the U.S. Federal Court System. |
| |
| | Supreme Court History
|
| | An incredible site that explores the history of the court, plus several in-depth features on issues such as: Supreme Court and Womens Rights, FDR and the Court-Packing Controversy ... and much more! |
| |
| | Supreme Court - CBS Interactive
|
| | A great look at the current court, an interactive timeline, and more! |
| |
| | Supreme Court Watch - Newshour
|
| | From PBS Newshour, a comprehensive overview of recent court decisions and their historical precedents. |
| |
| | Supreme Court Decisions by Year
|
| | From FindLaw.com, browse their database of Supreme Court decisions throughout history! Click on a year to view cases and opinions. |
| |
| | Supreme Court Collection
|
| | A massive collection of Supreme Court decisions and records! |
| |
| | Federal Court Concepts
|
| | A great site designed to introduce secondary and postsecondary students to the American federal court system. It contains basic information about the structure of the federal courts, what kind of cases that federal courts hear, and how to use federal court decisions in research.
|
| |
| | Exploring Constitutional Conflicts
|
| | This site explores some of the great issues and controversies that surround our Nation`s founding document. You can also learn about the Supreme Court - including its history and current cases - and the justices
who have served on it. |
| |
| | Supreme Court - The Oyez Project
|
| | The Oyez Project is a comprehensive multimedia history resource for the U.S. Supreme Court. There is an incredible amount of information here. |
| |
| | Landmark Supreme Court Cases
|
| | This site was developed to provide a full range of resources and activities to support the teaching of landmark Supreme Court cases, helping students explore the key issues of each case. |
| |
| | Dred Scott Case
|
| | The records displayed in this exhibit document the Scotts early struggle to gain their freedom through litigation and are the only extant records of this significant case as it was heard in the St. Louis Circuit Court. |
| |
| | Change at the Supreme Court
|
| | The Supreme Court entered a new era in 2005 with the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Initially named to replace O'Connor, John Roberts was renominated by President Bush and easily confirmed as chief justice. Bush picked Harriet Miers to replace O'Connor, the first female justice, but opposition forced Miers to withdraw. Bush then nominated Samuel Alito, who was confirmed over the opposition of most Senate Democrats. |
| |
| | Brown vs. Board of Education
|
| | From the National Historic Site for BvB, an overview of the case, its impact and related precedents. |
| |
| | Justice in the Balance
|
| | A CBS special report on Justice O'Connor's retirement, and how her seat might be filled. |
| |
| | Marbury v. Madison
|
| | A comprehensive overview of the landmark 1803 decision! |
| |
| | McCullough v. Maryland
|
| | A brief capsule summary of the 1819 decision on federal banks and taxation. |
| |
| | Gibbons v. Ogden
|
| | A brief capsule summary of the 1824 decision on federal regulation of interstate commerce. |
| |
| | Dred Scott v. Sandford
|
| | An overview of the 1857 decision that denied slaves citizenship, and freedom even when in free-soil states.
|
| |
| | Dred Scott Decision
|
| | An analysis of the Supreme Court decision of 1857, and its effects on the nation. Includes discussion of: America in 1857, Case Background, In the Federal Judicial System, The Supreme Courts Decision, Republican Reaction, Democratic Reaction, The Impact of Dred Scott. |
| |
| | Plessy vs. Ferguson
|
| | Learn here about the case that established the Separate But Equal doctrine in American law. |
| |
| | The Abortion Debate
|
| | From CBS News, an interactive site that traces the issues and events in the years since Roe v. Wade. |
| |
| | Roe v. Wade - 25 Years On
|
| | From CNN, a great multimedia exploration of the decision and aftermath of Roe vs. Wade, which cleared the path for legal abortion in America. |
| |
| | The Amistad Case
|
| | The Amistad case energized the fledgling abolitionist movement and intensified conflict over slavery, prompted a former President to go before the Supreme Court and condemn the policies of a present Administration, soured diplomatic relations between the United States and Spain for a generation, and created a wave of interest in sending Christian missionaries to Africa.
|
| |
| | BBC - Roe v. Wade
|
| | On January 22, 1973, a 25-year-old single woman won a Supreme Court case that legalized abortion across the United States. Norma McCorvey challenged the criminal abortion laws in Texas ... learn more here, from the BBC. |
| |
