The 10-Minute Guide To The U.S. Constitution | Visual.ly
Constitution of the United States. Annual Examination, June, 1875--Seniors. Professor Richard T. Greener :: University of South Carolina Student Exams
Just for fun - this is a test on the Constitution given to Seniors at the University of South Carolina in 1875. Look at the first question, it asks for a comparison of the US Constitution and the Confederate States of America. The professor who gave this test was the first African-American professor at the University of South Carolina.
Does your vote count? The Electoral College explained - Christina Greer - YouTube
It takes just over 5 minutes, a concise script and great animation to put the Electoral College in front of students - this can do it
U. S. Electoral College, Official - What is the Electoral College?
This National Archives site provides an article and four-minute video to describe the nuts and bolts process by which the Electoral College operates. Although there are other more effective articles to provide students, the video shows the manner in which the Electoral votes are official counted in Congress. Having students watch that process will reinforce their understanding of it.
What Influenced the Creation of the U.S. Constitution?
Built on the Inquiry Model of the C3 Framework, this complete lesson provides several classes worth of questions, inquiries, and documents for analysis. This can be used to replace any narrative lesson on the Constitutional Convention.
History News Network | What Were the Founders Thinking When They Created the Electoral College?
George Washington's Annotated Copy of a Draft of the U.S. Constitution - The National Archives
This not only shows students how the skill of annotation is practiced by everyone engaged in knowledge work, it shows what Washington thought of the Constitution. The original copy of this sold for $9m - https://www.christies.com/george-washingtons-annotated-copy-24045.aspx?saletitle=
Episode 143: Michael Klarman, The Making of the United States Constitution - Ben Franklin's World
Liz Covart's podcast features hour-long interviews with historians about their latest books. Although especially useful to teachers and scholars enhancing their content knowledge, segments of of any episode can be shared with students.
Shays' Rebellion | Stanford History Education Group
Shays' Rebellion is often regarded as the event that led Americans to want a stronger central government, but the story is not so simple. Opinions on the rebellion and the power of government varied, often along class lines. In this lesson, students will gain a more nuanced understanding of how Americans reacted to Shays' Rebellion by analyzing a textbook account and a letter by Thomas Jefferson
Slavery in the Constitution | Stanford History Education Group
Preamble - IC - We the People
Two articles from the Constitution Center discuss, in concise form, two different interpretations of the Preamble to the Constitution and it's importance.
Avalon Project - The Barbary Treaties 1786-1816 - Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Signed at Tripoli November 4, 1796
Any discussion of the relationship between religion and government should include reference to this treaty which was begun under the administration of George Washington, signed by John Adams, and ratified by the US Senate without one vote against it. Here's the vote tally - https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/5-1/s8
As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion
Federalist No 65 - Hamilton on Impeachment (Article)
Most of the essay deals with the propriety of the empowerment of the Senate to remove presidents from office and the enowerment of the House to bring Impeachment charges
The prosecution of them, for this reason, will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, and to divide it into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused. In many cases it will connect itself with the pre-existing factions, and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other; and in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.
Federalist No 69 - Hamilton on the powers of the Presidency (Article)
First. The President will have only the occasional command of such part of the militia of the nation as by legislative provision may be called into the actual service of the Union.
What would Hamilton think of a perpetual militia, stationed in the United States and overseas?
Us Constitution Timeline - Rhode Island -
Although many Social Studies teachers know that Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention, not many know why. This timeline published by the state of Rhode Island references religious freedom and the printing of paper as two important issues that shaped the state's decision
United States Government 10-K prepared by USA Facts
Very interesting and unique way to look at the government and finances of the United States. Although this is massive. 8th grade students can be directed a specific sections. USI students can make comparisons with Hamilton's reports.
The Electoral Punt
This hsitory behind the electoral college
Electoral College and the National Archives (2016) -
This four and a half minute video is a somewhat sterile production of the National Archives and Records Administration but it is informative in the way in explains the process by which the Electoral Votes of each state are counted in each state, how they are recorded and communicated to the federal government and how they are counted there.
Becoming America: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 | Center Public Policy | Concordia University Irvine
Teachers would find it difficult to invest the time necessary to wade through Madison's notes to get an understanding of the daily events and arguments of the Constitutional Convention. This daily summary of events is much easier to read. Teachers skimming through this collection and perhaps reading three to five different days would realize how little of the past they actually teach - and how much of it changes when squeezed through the tiny window of instructional time available to them
Shays' Rebellion - From Revolution to Constitution
Shays's Rebellion makes it into almost every US History and Civics course, but how often are the causes reduced to a less than ten word bullet point? This site provides much more of the story, fundamentally changing our understanding of him, the people with him and the event itself.
Shays' Rebellion - Scene: Taking the Oath
What teacher has the courage to put this do now in front of students. Look at this site, read the description and click on each of the people involved. The question is this - should the insurrectionists of 1/6 have to take an oath in support of the government?
From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 March 1789
Jefferson's famous quote about political parties is in a letter which says a great deal more - this is that letter. This shows how a quote can be taken out of context to prove a point, yet be invalid
My opinion was never worthy enough of notice to merit citing:<a class="ptr" id="TSJN-01-14-0427-fn-0002-ptr" href="#TSJN-01-14-0427-fn-0002" title="jump to note 2">2</a> but since you ask it I will tell it you.
If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.
My great wish is to go on in a strict but silent performance of my duty: to avoid attracting notice and to keep my name out of newspapers, because I find the pain of a little censure, even when it is unfounded, is more acute than the pleasure of much praise.
Constitute
The goal of the Comparative Constitutions Project is to collect data on the formal characteristics of written constitutions, both current and historical, for most independent states since 1789. Characteristics include aspects of both form and content of these documents.
United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992) Constitution - Constitute
The text of the Constitution presented at the Constitute Project provides interactive version of the text, linking each clause and provision to additional information, context, and application