On this electronic field trip, students get the chance to see up close historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Students will also have entry to the entire Independence National Historical Park with 21 historical sites available for fascinating tours.
This comprehensive set of Congressional documents covers the nation's founding through early Reconstruction. Materials are organized into four categories: Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention; Statutes and Documents; Journals of Congress; and Debates of Congress. The site provides descriptions of 16 types of documents, including bills and resolutions, American State Papers, the U.S. Serial Set, Journals of the Continental Congress, the Congressional Globe, and the Congressional Record.
A presentation addresses the making of the Constitution that introduced an 1834 compilation of Congressional debates and proceedings and a timeline presents American history as seen in Congressional documents. Special attention is directed to Revolutionary diplomatic correspondence, Indian land cessions, the Louisiana Purchase, the Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 18611865, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, and the electoral college.
This collection of approximately 152,000 documents written by or to George Washington is the largest set of original Washington documents in the world. It includes correspondence, letterbooks, diaries, journals, account books, military records, reports, and notes from 1741 through 1799. Although the site is searchable by keyword, many documents are available only as page images rather than as transcribed text and the handwriting can be difficult to read. Transcripts, however, do exist for all diary pages and for selected documents.
The site includes a timeline with links to relevant documents; essays on Washington's diaries, letterbooks, and career as a surveyor and mapmaker; and an essay entitled "Creating the American Nation."
Eighth-grade history teacher Eric Langhorst gives teachers and tourists some advice on walking Boston's Freedom Trail, a tour of 23 Revolutionary War historic sites that stretches for three-and-a-half miles, one way.
Eighth-grade American history educator Eric Langhorst describes how he uses articles from a magazine produced by the Daughters of the American Revolution—American Spirit—in his classroom.
Abigail Adams, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher—their names are prominently linked with the American Revolution. But what about the rank and file of women? Talking History's Linna Place and Carol Berkin discuss Berkin's recent book, Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the bottom of the page, and select "MP3 Format" under "Revolutionary Mothers."
Don Vitale of Archiving Early America narrates an overview of Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments as a diplomat, politician, and thinker during and after the Revolutionary War.
Captioned and uncaptioned options are available.
Jack Rakove of Stanford University discusses the influences that shaped early American political thought, including the move to rebellion and the formation of the U.S. government at the American Revolution's end.
To listen to this lecture, select "250 Years of Political Theory: Machiavelli, Locke, and Montesquieu" under "Listen to Dr. Rakove's lectures."
Harvey Sicherman, president of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, discusses Benjamin Franklin's work as a diplomat in France, securing French support of the colonists in the American Revolution.
Audio and visual options are available.
This mini documentary, produced by NBC, describes the crucial role women played during the American Revolution as they took on the responsibilities of running farms, leading boycotts, and aiding the Continental Army.
To view the documentary, follow the link below and scroll down past "Thomas Paine and 'Common Sense.'"