In this section, we have listed online resources directly from government websites. These resources provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of constitutional principles, legal documents, court decisions, and government structure.
The Federalist Papers were a series of eighty-five essays urging the citizens of New York to ratify the new United States Constitution. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the essays appeared anonymously in New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788 under the pen name "Publius." The Federalist Papers are considered one of the most essential sources for interpreting and understanding the Constitution's original intent.
This site includes the history and traditions of the Supreme Court and the procedures the Court follows today. You can also find case documents, filings, past rulings, and news about the Court.
The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and InterpretationPreeminent Treatise
Popularly known as the "Constitution Annotated," this free online source, prepared by the Congressional Research Service, contains historical notes and legal analysis and interpretation of the United States Constitution based primarily on Supreme Court case law.
This website offers myriad of information about all things Constitutional, including the procedures and responsibilities directly relating to the U.S. Senate.
Contains 277 documents relating to the work of Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. Items include extracts of the journals of Congress, resolutions, proclamations, committee reports, treaties, and early printed versions of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Most broadsides are one page in length; others range from 1 to 28 pages. A number of these items contain manuscript annotations not recorded elsewhere that offer insight into the delicate process of creating consensus. In many cases, multiple copies bearing manuscript annotations are available to compare and contrast.
Sign-in required. Wealth of American legal history information. Fully searchable digital archive of the published records of the American colonies, documents published by state constitutional conventions, law dictionaries, digests, and more.
