Articles of Confederation
The Initial Plan. The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government created during the American Revolution in 1777 and was the first form […]
Constitution
Excerpt of the Declaration
Interpreting a Foundational Document. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and four other statesmen at the Continental Congress and signed on July […]
Drafting the Declaration
A clip from HBO’s John Adams. Thomas Jefferson is generally thought to be the author of the Declaration of Independence, but a committee of five […]
Foundations of U.S. Government
Establishing the United States of America. For any American Government course, you need an understanding of the political separation between American colonists and the British […]
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
First Exercise of Judicial Review. On this day in 1803, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Marbury v. Madison. It is perhaps the most […]