Teachers Discovering History As Historians

Confederation and Constitution: Primary Resources & Websites

The following topical pages from the Advanced Placement and American History and Government sections include study guides, primary source documents, articles, maps, web links, vocabulary,  notes and activities:

 

The Early Republic:  Web Links (Click for 100+ topic specific primary sources and websites)

The original list of resources for this historical time period were compiled by educators at from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York at http://www.historyteacher.net/index.htm  Visit this site for exceptional materials and additional historical links.
We wish to fully credit their enormous and highly beneficial effort. However, due to a number of dead or forwarding links, we have created a parallel listing on our Teachers Discovering History as Historians website which we will attempt to update
every sixty days.  

National Archives:  100 Milestone Documents

One hundred select documents that chronicle the history of the United states from 1776-1965

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/content.php?flash=true&page=milestone

Two exceptional electronic textbooks the Title will take you to the entire text.  The specific chapters/resource guides related to this topic are noted below the description:

Digital American History Textbook

A new and exceptional digital history text Includes a full textbook, guided readings, documents, timelines, exhibits, reference materials, study guides, and other materials for teaching American History. 

          Chapter:  The Founders

          Chapter:  The Critical Period:  1780's

          Resource Guide:  The Constitution

          Chapter:  The US Constitution and Bill of Rights

We recommend you combine the digital text with THE ANNENBERG VIDEO SERIES-- Biography of America at  http://learner.org/resources/series123.html#  an exceptional FREE video instructional series for high school and college students produced by WGBH Boston in cooperation with the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.  These 26 thirty minute lectures incorporate first person narratives, photographs, film footage and documents related to various historical time periods—from New World Encounters through Contemporary History.

 

 

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts

An exceptional site exploring some of the great issues and controversies surrounding our Nation's founding documents.  Documents, readings, images, cases and excellent summaries of fifty key issues including Judicial Review, Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Die, Privacy, etc.

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/home.html

          Sample:  Women's Fight for the Vote:  The 19th Amendment

National Constitution Center

An expansive site dedicated to providing a wide range of materials and activities for the study of the Constitution.  A few of the contents include:  Founding Documents, Constitutional Timeline, Fast Facts, Constitutional History Links, For Kids including Save The Bill of Rights, and The Interactive Constitution.

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

 

The Constitutional Rights Foundation

Another sited dedicated to the United States Constitution.  Highly recommend the comprehensive and expansive collection of free online lessons--most recent Current Issues of Immigration, 2006.

http://www.crf-usa.org/

 

Constitution Facts

Materials related to the Constitution including many student activities including:  word finds, treasure hunts and crossword puzzles.

http://www.constitutionfacts.com/

 

Constitutional Source Project

The only free fully-indexed online library of constitutional sources including  authoritative transcripts and high quality digital images of the original documents.

http://www.consource.org

 

The Constitution of the United States of America

Text with Amendments.
http://www.law.ou.edu/hist/constitution/

 

Constitution Search Engine

Use keywords and find where they are referenced.  Also list of Amendments never passed.

http://www.law.emory.edu/FEDERAL/usconst.html

 

The Constitution of the United States

Text, Actual Images and founding Fathers Biographies.

http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/constitution.html

 

Madison's "Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

James Madison is usually credited with being the principal author of the
U.S. Constitution at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,
but, while he was an active participant in the debates and in the
drafting of the document, he also managed to take the most complete set
of notes on the debates in that convention, capturing the essence, if
not the exact words, of the participants, and giving us a definitive
insight into the intent of the Framers.

http://www.constitution.org/dfc/dfc-0000.htm

 

The Federalist Papers

All 85 of the Federalist Papers written under the pen name Publius by Jay, Hamilton and Madison. Each titled to assist with proper selection and an internal search engine provided at the end of the page.

http://www.constitution.org/fed/federa00.htm

 

The Anti-Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 of the so called Anti-Federalist papers from numerous authors including Brutus, Federal Farmer, Cato and others.  Each document is titled to provide ease of access to the topic sought.

http://www.wepin.com/articles/afp/

 

National History Education Clearinghouse

Welcome to the National History Education Clearinghouse, the central online location for accessing high-quality resources in K-12 U.S. history education. This site began in 2008 and is rapidly becoming one of the best sources for United State History Educators including access to History Content, Teaching Materials, Best Practices, Issues and Research, Professional Development, and TAH Grants.

http://teachinghistory.org/

 

Center on Congress at Indiana University

An interesting site with a variety of e-learning modules, Lesson Plans and Resources for Teachers.

http://congress.indiana.edu/learn_about/index.php

 

 

The Bill of Rights Institute

A good source for information regarding Constitution Day, free eLessons and instructional materials.  I highly recommend subscribing to their three FREE e-mail NEWSLETTERS providing historical content, classroom activities and discussion questions related to: Landmark Supreme Court Cases and The Constitution (once monthly); Bill of Rights in the News  (twice monthly); First Amendment in History (once monthly)

http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org

 

Constitutions of the World

This index offers constitutions, charters, amendments, and other related documents. Nations of the world and states are listed alphabetically, and each nation's or state's name is linked to its constitutional text posted somewhere on the Internet. Point and click to jump from the name to the text. Use the alphabetical listing search keys for more convenient maneuvering. http://confinder.richmond.edu

 

The Constitutional Convention

A very creative site designed as part of a Teach American History Grant.  Focus is the Constitutional Convention including:  The Convention as a Four Act Drama, Day to Day Summary, Major Themes, Debates and Biographical data for the delegates.

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/

 

 

• C-Span in the Classroom

• On this web site, you'll find short clips of C-SPAN video organized by six major topic areas based on national and selected state standards:

  • Principles of Government
  • U.S. Constitution
  • Legislative Branch
  • Executive Branch
  • Judicial Branch
  • Political Participation

  2008 Election Campaign Video

  Video is updated weekly and sometimes daily. These topic pages also include links to PDF worksheets, your favorite archived C-SPAN Classroom resources and other primary sources. Real Player is needed to play video clips.

•        http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/VideoDetail.aspx?category=PP

 

First Amendment Schools

An interesting collection of lesson plans, teacher guides and supplementary handouts related to Religious Liberty, Speech, Press, Assembly and Petition.

http://www.firstamendmentschools.org/resources/lessonplans.aspx

 

New York State Constitution

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/constitution.htm

 

 

New York State Project Sunlight

What is Project Sunlight?
Project Sunlight is a website designed to promote your right to know and monitor government decision-making. The website – the first of its kind in New York State - offers a new prototype for how government should make information available in today’s “digital democracy.” The website promotes transparency in government by making easily accessible information about individual Elected Officials, campaign finance activities, legislation, lobbyists, state contracts, and registered corporations and charities.

          http://www.sunlightny.org/snl1/app/index.jsp

 

The Center For Civic Education

The Center is dedicated to a wide range of civic programs including "WE THE PEOPLE". The principal goals of the Center's programs are to help students develop (1) an increased understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy and the fundamental principles and values upon which they are founded, (2) the skills necessary to participate as effective and responsible citizens, and (3) the willingness to use democratic procedures for making decisions and managing conflict.  Resources, Websites, Teaching Materials, etc.

http://www.civiced.org/

2007  New Citizenship Test in the United States  (NPR podcast)

• 2007  Sample Questions from the New Citizenship Test

Landmark Supreme Court Cases

An exceptional site created by Street Law and the Supreme Court Historical Society for teachers to use in their classrooms.  Fifteen major cases (1803-1989) and nine major constitution concepts are featured.  The standard resources include background summaries and questions at three reading levels, diagrams of how the case moved through the court system, excerpts from the majority and when appropriate dissenting opinions, links to the full text decisions and numerous case specific activities. Class activities include in depth analysis, moot court, political cartoon analysis and continuum exercises.
http://www.landmarkcases.org/index.html

 

School House Rock--American History

Take a few moments to listen to songs--ideal for Elementary Grades.

http://www.school-house-rock.com/AmericaRock.html

 

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

This site provides learning tools for K-12 students, parents, and teachers

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/about.html

 

An Outline of American History

This hypertext provides textbook information, documents, biographies, timelines and links for each chronological topic.

Chapter 4:  The Formation of a National Government

 

Best of History Web Sites

The Best of History Web Site is an incredible portal created for teachers, students, and general history enthusiasts.  After accessing your historical subject or topic of choice, sites are listed by historical topic with a description of what you will find and an evaluation.  A keyword search function is also available.  Scroll beyond the sites provided and you will find time period specific lesson plans, activities and teacher guides.

          http://www.besthistorysites.net/index.shtml

 

          Links related to the Constitution: 

http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_Constitution.shtml

          Links related to The Early Republic:

http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_EarlyRepublic.shtml

          Links related to American Government--including an excellent course

          at Purdue University:                       

http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_Government.shtml

 

US Historical Documents List

Go to Documents 1775-1799 to find most significant documents related to these topics.
http://www.law.ou.edu/hist/index.html#1775

 

Eyewitness to History

          100 Eyewitness accounts, most from United States History (1608-1971).     View the index or search by time period or event.  http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com

     Check the index here:  http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/eyindx.htm

 

WWW-VL History of the United States

The introductory page for the entire U.S. History collection.  The World Wide Web: Virtual Library provides a comprehensive collection of internet sources for a variety of topics including United States History.   Links are provided for gateway Sites, Maps, Timelines, Documents, Lecture Notes, Journal Articles, and other related items.

The introductory page for the entire U.S. History collection:  http://vlib.iue.it/history/USA/

Women's History (general and by time periods):  http://vlib.iue.it/history/USA/women.html

African-American History (general and by time periods):  http://vlib.iue.it/history/USA/african-american.html

Urban History in the United States http://vlib.iue.it/history/USA/urban.html

 

Academic Info:  U.S. History

Access to thousands of internet sites related to specific time periods and topics of United States History.  A recommend source to visit for a wide range of materials--do not allow the advertisements to irritate you.

http://academicinfo.net/histus.html

 

A Biography of America:  A New System of Government

An informative site containing many resources dealing with the new republic, the ideals of a balanced government, the Constitution, the Constitutional Convention, political parties, Thomas Jefferson, and an EXCEPTIONAL interactive tool comparing the mindsets of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog05/index.html

American Women Through Time

This is a new website featuring the best internet based materials related to American Women from pre 1599 to Present. Each section includes two sections:  1. A timeline that links specific events with relevant online sources, such as diaries and letters, photograph collections, and lectures by historians  2.  Each section also includes a guide to research sources that simplify access to sources covering specific time periods.       http://www.mtsu.edu/~kmiddlet/history/women/wh-timeline.html

 

American Women's History Research Guide

Provides citations to print and Internet reference sources, as well as to selected large primary source collections—covering a wide range of topics from Abolitionist to Writers. 

http://www.mtsu.edu/~kmiddlet/history/women/wh-intro.html

 

Modern History Source Book

Professor Halshall has compiled an incredible collection of history sourcebooks utilizing the wealth of information available on the internet.  The Modern History Source Book provides historical material from the Reformation through the new millennium. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.html

          Other Sourcebooks by Professor Halshall:

         Ancient History Sourcebook

         Medieval Sourcebook

         Women's History Sourcebook

         African History Sourcebook

         East Asian History Sourcebook

         Global History Sourcebook

A Listing of Exceptional United States History Programs from PBS

Information, photographs, documents, lesson plans, etc. for various American history topics.  EXCEPTIONAL!Works well with the BOCES PBS Collection. 

http://www.pbs.org/history/history_united.html

 

SOURCES FOR DIGITIZED DOCUMENTS, ARTICLES AND BOOKS

 

The Avalon Project at the Yale Law School

Pre 18th century through 21st Century Documents with an Alphabetic Author/Title List of ALL Project Documents.  Exceptional!!
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/default.asp

 

Bartleby:  Great Books On Line

Free access to great works of literature, reference and verse.  An incredible collection with a simple search process.

http://www.bartleby.com/

 

The University of Virginia Hypertext Project

Over sixty hypertexts of various great works--with many from the 19th century.  This collection is especially helpful to United States History teachers as it features some of the classic works from Cooper, Crane, DuBois, Jefferson, Louis and Clark Journals, Madison,  Sinclair, Turner, Twain and others.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/hypertex.html

 

On Line Books and Authors

A collection of hypertext versions of hundreds of literary works,

         Easy search by author or title.

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/authors.html

 

 

www TDHAH.com

Jamestown Public Schools

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716.483.7112
Fax: 716.483.7104

Web Design and  Research Team:
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 Pam Brown
 Rick Bates
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