The following research and activity ideas are intended to offer suggestions for complementing studies on early American history, to trigger additional ideas for enhancing learning, and to provide cross-disciplinary projects for Internet, library, and classroom use.

Comparison of Constitutions: Create a comparison chart of America's first and second constitutions—the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. Keep in mind that under the Articles of Confederation: (1) there was no executive (presidential) branch; (2) there was no judicial (courts) branch; (3) Congress was unicameral (one legislative house); (4) each of the thirteen states had one vote in Congress; (5) in order to amend the Articles, all thirteen states had to cast a favorable vote for the change; and (6) Congress could not tax citizens. Obtain a copy of the U.S. Constitution approved by the states by mid-1788. Locate and record where in the...