• The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"

    Created October 19, 2011

    Stamp Act Congress meets in New York, draws up Declaration of Rights and Grievances

    Submitted by edsite.admin on October 19, 2011 - 6:58am
    in
    Main Subject Areas: 
    History & Social Studies
    Event Date: 
    Repeats every year until Fri Oct 19 2035 .
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    Event Date Display: 
    October 19, 1765
    Related Lesson Plans: 
    Declare the Causes: The Declaration of Independence
    Related Links: 
    Coming of the American Revolution: The Stamp Act

  • The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"

    Created October 17, 2011
    The Creation of the Bill of Rights: James Madison Statue

    This lesson will focus on the arguments either for or against the addition of a Bill of Rights between 1787 and 1789. By examining the views of prominent Americans in original documents, students will see that the issue at the heart of the debate was whether a Bill of Rights was necessary to secure and fulfill the objects of the American Revolution and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Students will also gain an understanding of the origins of the Bill of Rights and how it came to be part of what Thomas Jefferson called "the American mind," as well as a greater awareness of the difficulties that proponents had to overcome in order to add the first ten Amendments to the Constitution.

  • Ratifying the Constitution

    Created September 28, 2011
    Ratifying the Constitution: "Fame" Announces Ratification of Constitution

    This lesson introduces students to the vigorous debates surrounding the ratification of the Constitution that took place in the state conventions. State delegates grappled with questions about the nature of democracy, the distribution of wealth and power in society, the rights of individuals and minority groups, and the role of dissent in a republic.

    Re-enactors, Battle of Tippecanoe. Courtesy of PBS (WNED, Buffalo/Toronto)

    "The War of 1812"

    Website for the PBS film War of 1812. Website includes short scholarly essays on the American, British, Canadian & Native American perspectives on the war, the role of black sailors and soldiers, diplomatic manouoers, James Madison’s leadership, and the military campaigns. Multiple lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school levels

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    U.S. Chief Justice John Marshall born

    Submitted by edsite.admin on September 24, 2011 - 7:20am
    in
    Main Subject Areas: 
    History & Social Studies
    Event Date: 
    Repeats every year until Mon Sep 24 2035 .
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    Event Date Display: 
    Sep 24 1755
    Related Lesson Plans: 
    John Marshall, Marbury v. Madison, and Judicial Review—How the Court Became Supreme
    Related Initiatives: 
    We The People
    Related Links: 
    John Marshall Foundation:Life & Legacy
    Childe Hassam, flags of nations

    Picturing America on Screen

    Picturing America on Screen is an NEH-funded documentary film project produced by Channel 13, WNET, New York. A group of 25 films created by 9 talented directors presents a sampling of Picturing American art ranging from the mystery and beauty of Anasazi pottery to the sculptural poetry of contemporary artist Martin Puryear.

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    U.S. History Resources

    The U.S. History Resources assists students and teachers in high school U.S. history courses. For some, the understanding of the "big picture" gets lost in the sheer volume of facts, dates, people, and movements. When this happens, history can become more of a memorization exercise than a thoughtful analysis of how and why things occurred. This site attempts to simplify American history without making it simplistic.

    View U.S. History Resources

    Alexander Hamilton Exhibition

    This NEH-funded exhibit offers a look at founding father Alexander Hamilton. The site features historical artifacts, virtual tours of Hamilton's life in New York and New Jersey, a document database, and a comprehensive timeline.

    View Alexander Hamilton Exhibition
    Portrait of M.L. King from the website

    Natural Law, Natural Rights, and The Constitution

    NEH funded online archive of educational resources on the history of natural law, natural rights and American Constitutionalism designed and written by scholars associated with the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.

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