Essays

“Race and the American Constitution: A Struggle toward National Ideals” by James O. Horton

“Ordinary Americans and the Constitution” by Gary B. Nash

“Why We the People? Citizens as Agents of Constitutional Change” by Linda R. Monk

Spotlights on Primary Sources

“Two versions of the Preamble to the Constitution, 1787”

“A brawl between Federalists and anti-Federalists, 1788”

Videos (2-minute videos)

“Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists” with Carol Berkin

“Calling the Constitutional Convention” with Carol Berkin

“Constitutional Originalism” with Jack Rakove

“Slavery and the Constitution” with James O. Horton

Classroom Resources and Lesson Plans

Historical Context: The Survival of the US Constitution

Infographic: Differences between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Lesson Plan: Opposing Viewpoints on the Ratification of the US Constitution