The U.S. Constitution, featuring profiles on Founding Fathers, a comprehensive collection of amendments, and a wealth of historical documents.
Online since 1995.
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Historical Context of the 26th Amendment The push to reduce the voting age from 21 to 18 in the United States was sparked significantly by military conscription policies and youth impact during times of conflict, notably World War II and…
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1787 Constitutional Convention
Formation and Purpose of the Constitutional Convention The Articles of Confederation, while providing a semblance of national unity, had significant limitations in the post-Revolutionary War era. Under the Articles, each state acted almost as an independent entity, leading to inefficient…
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Third Amendment Litigation
Historical Context and Origin During the times leading up to the American Revolutionary War, the British Parliament enacted the Quartering Acts, which required American colonists to provide housing and necessities for British soldiers stationed in America. This imposition was viewed…
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13th Amendment & Mass Incarceration
Historical Context of the 13th Amendment The ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865 marked a pivotal moment in the United States, emerging directly from the tumultuous years of the Civil War, where the divides over slavery threatened to irreparably…
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Fourth Amendment & Surveillance
Historical Context of the Fourth Amendment The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was penned in response to severe grievances under British rule regarding privacy violations and unreasonable searches and seizures. This was a period where British authorities utilized "writs…
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19th Amendment Analysis
Origins of the 19th Amendment The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, was a pivotal event in the history of women's rights in America. It marked the initial organized push for women's suffrage…
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25th Amendment Usage
Origins and Ratification of the 25th Amendment The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 exposed a significant gap in the U.S. Constitution regarding presidential succession and incapacity. Kennedy's death underlined the necessity for a formal and consistent process…
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Republic vs Democracy
Defining a Constitutional Republic The United States operates as a constitutional republic, a form of government that involves representatives elected by the people, who execute their duties under the constraints of a prevailing constitution that specifies the powers and limits…
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First Amendment & Social Media
Historical Context of the First Amendment The First Amendment, born from a wariness of tyrannical control, marks a deliberate effort by the Founding Fathers to guarantee an essential human right—free speech. Forged in the crucible of conflict and philosophical debate,…
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Unsung Founding Fathers
1. Roger Sherman: The Master of Compromise Roger Sherman distinguished himself as a critical figure at the Constitutional Convention. Known for his ability to forge unanimity among diverse opinions, Sherman devised the Connecticut Compromise, which resolved an impasse between small…