Learning More

In Print

Highly recommended as food for thought are the following books:

"Miracle at Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May to September 1787" authored by Catherine Drinker Bowen. Although this book was published in 1966, it provides insight into issues and personalities involved.

The second, authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pen name Publius is "The Federalist Papers: A Collections of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, As Agreed Upon By The Federal Conventions, September 17, 1787". Those of us who had American History/Government classes during a certain time frame will probably recognize quotes from our history books in these deftly written essays. Although written in 1787, the thoughts of these august gentlemen are as pertinent today as they were almost 230 years ago.

The individuals opposed to the Constitution in 1787 also had important comments for consideration. Their essays and notes have been collected and edited by Ralph Ketcham as "The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates". Unfortunately gentlemen such as Elbridge Gerry, Rufus King, and Charles Pinckney among others receive little recognition in history class discussions of the Constitution. It is their voices, among others in attendance at the Federal Convention the summer of 1787, that provide balance to those of the Federalists.

Although not a participant in the writing of the various "Founding Documents", Thomas Paine's little volume "Common Sense" played a part in the direction the Colonies took on the road to independence and forming a new government. Many will probably remember quotes from this slim volume from their high school American History or Government classes.

If you can't find the books mentioned above at your local library or bookstore, they are confirmed as available via Amazon.

Internet

While it can be challenging to locate good source material about important background documents related to the foundations of our government, the search is well worth the effort as you will find some well researched gems as you explore what's available. Ones that we've found in our own research are listed below. They are only sorted by the related documents or topics rather than preference. However, libraries and government sponsored archives are excellent starting points for accurate PDF files.

Magna Carta

The National Endowment for the Humanities has posted a well annotated copy of the transcription of the 1215 copy of the Magna Carta. The transcript is found on the British Library Portal, with the annotations for use in the classroom from the EDSITEment series from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The copy of the Magna Carta that can be downloaded from the sidebar link contains citation information that must remain with it if you share it with others.

The Bundesbrief

The International Bundesbrief Society is a highly recommended starting point for learning more about this document, which brought three cantons of what is now Switzerland into a confederacy in 1291. The document set forth the rights and responsibilities of the people and the government after it was formed in the last decade of the 13th century. The English translation of the Bundesbrief can be read on the Society's site.