U.S. Constitution

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: Easily accessed links to all parts of the Constitution. Standards 4.5 all, 5.7 all, 8.2 all, 8.3.3, 8.3.6, 8.10.3, 8.11.5, 11.1.2, 11.1.3, 11.2.9, 11.5.3, 11.5.4, 11.10.7, 11.11.4, 12.1 all, 12.2 all, 12.4 all, 12.5 all, 12.7 all.

Comments: Required reading under AB3086.

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 3247

Virginia Plan (1787)

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/content.php?page=document&doc=7

Rating: 2, High!

Description: On May 29, 1787, Virginia delegate Edmund Randolph proposed what became known as "The Virginia Plan." Written primarily by fellow Virginian James Madison, the plan traced the broad outlines of what would become the U.S. Constitution: a national government consisting of three branches with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. In its amended form, this page of Madison's plan shows his ideas for a legislature. It describes 2 houses: one with members elected by the people for 3-year terms and the other composed of older leaders elected by the state legislatures for 7-year terms. Both would use population as a basis for dividing seats among the states.Standards 5.7.4 and 8.2.3

Comments: This Our Documents site includes historical background, a transcription and a PDF prinatable image of the document.

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3353

Constitutional Convention of 1787

http://mondrian.princeton.edu/CampusWWW/Companion/constitutional_convention.html

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: Here is information on 9 men at Convention who were Princeton Alumni. It gives info on other universities and colleges attended by the delegates and the fact that 25 out of the 55, including George Washington, did not attend college. Standards 5.7.2, 8.2.3, and 11.1.2

Comments: It's a bit prejudiced towards Princeton, but there is interesting information.

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 802

Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/rightsof.htm

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This is a translation of the document written by the Marquis de Lafayette with the help of Thomas Jefferson in 1789. It was signed by Louis XVI but only under duress. Standards 7.11.5, 8.1.3, 10.1.1 and 10.1.2

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 912

James Madison: Proposed Amendments to the Constitution, June 8, 1789

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/jm4/speeches/amend.htm

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This is a speech by James Madison on June 8, 1789 proposing amendments to the constitution including those that later became the Bill of Rights. The list under Madison's "Fourthly" may be compared to the wording in the amendments ratified by the states as the Bill of Rights. Standards 8.2.3, 11.1.2, and 12.1.6

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 1792

Rise and Fall of Alexander Hamilton

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/ham/hamilton.html

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This site offers a comprehensive biography of Alexander Hamilton. The author discusses Hamilton's political development and the reasons for his inclusion in the pantheon of founding fathers. Standard 8.2.4 and 8.3.4

Comments: Reading level will challenge many 8th graders, but knowledge gained will be worth the effort.

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 2645

U. S. Constitution

http://www.usconstitution.net/

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This site contains links to important early documents as well as many other features. Be sure to visit the Framers page for William Pierce's character sketches, especially Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. Standards 8.2.2-7, 11.1.2, and 12.1.3

Comments: Navigating this site may be confusing for some students, but there is a lot here that is worth the effort.

Resource Type: Compilation of Links.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 3236

Virginia Declaration of Rights

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/virginia.htm

Rating: 3, Medium.

Description: This list of sixteen natural rights was drafted by George Mason in 1776 and was adopted unanimously June 12 of that year by the Virginia Convention of Delegates. Compare these rights with the U.S. Bill of Rights. Standards 8.2.3, 8.2.5, 11.1.2, and 12,1,4

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 3632