Students should have a solid foundation of the regional differences in the former colonies, now states, as well as an understanding of the ratification of the Constitution. This Lesson is best used after students have read The Constitutional Convention and The Ratification Debate on the Constitution Narratives in Chapter 3. The James Madison and the Bill of Rights Narrative in Chapter 4 can be used as background for the Lesson or can be assigned as homework after the Lesson to reinforce main ideas.

In the early republic, Congress was a colorful, exciting, unpredictable, and contentious branch of the United States government. The members constantly quarreled but often deliberated and compromised through persuasive oratory and rational conversation. Congress was divided by party and sectionalism, but was guided through these difficulties by legislative statesmen. The Congress continued to function as the undisputed law making body of the people of the United States. Even during some of its most tumultuous years, from 1789 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1860, the Congress effectively governed the nation.

This resource from the National Constitution Center includes an introduction, big questions, recorded class sessions, briefing documents, slide decks, and worksheets about Article I of the United States Constitutuion.

This is part one of our short animated series that covers the Constitution of the United States. This video teaches kids (and adults) in simple terms about the first part of article one of the constitution.

This activity is designed to accompany the contextual essay “Assembling, Amplifying, and Ascending: Recent Trends Among Women in Congress, 1977–2006,” from the Women in Congress website, history.house. gov/exhibition-and-publications/wic/women-in-congress/. Students have the opportunity to learn more about the women who served in Congress from 1977 to 2006. Students are encouraged to analyze the role women Representatives and Senators played in Congress during this era, as well as the ways in which they may have changed the institution.

This activity is designed to familiarize students with the legislative process. It is also intended to introduce students to legislation currently in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This activity is designed to familiarize students with the legislative process. It is also intended to introduce students to legislation currently in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This activity is designed to accompany the Black Americans in Congress website, history.house.gov/ exhibitions-and-publications/baic/black-americans-in-congress/. Students have the opportunity to analyze historical photographs associated with Black Americans who served in Congress and with the history of civil rights in the United States. Students are encouraged to think more about the role historical photographs can play in the study of past events and people.

This activity is designed to accompany the Artifacts section of the Black Americans in Congress website, history.house.gov/exhibitions-and-publications/baic/artifacts/artifacts/. Students have the opportunity to analyze artifacts associated with Black Americans who served in Congress. Students are encouraged to think about how artifacts can be used in the study of past events and people.

This activity is designed to accompany the Black Americans in Congress website, history.house.gov/ exhibitions-and-publications/baic/black-americans-in-congress/. Students have the opportunity to analyze
a series of statements made by Black Americans who served in Congress. Students are encouraged to think about the role that quotations can play in the study of history. (Citations for the quotation exercise used in this activity appear in the “Historical Quotations” document.)

In this game, test your knowledge of the branches of the U.S. government!

What new things did you learn about the Branches of Government? Take this quiz to test your knowledge!

Show that you know about the three branches of government by taking this quiz!

What are some of the new things you learned about the Branches of Government? Take this quiz to test your knowledge!

This game immerses students in the workings of our three branches of government. Players take on the roles of legislator, president and Supreme Court justice to get constitutional laws enacted. Players must juggle several bills at once while holding press conferences and town hall meetings.

Do your students like running things? The new version of Branches of Power allows them to do something that no one else can: control all three branches of the U.S. government.

In Branches of Power your students will:

Pick leaders for each branch of government
Create a presidential agenda and learn about the executive branch powers
Introduce bills and pass laws out of Congress
Apply judicial review to passed laws

This activity is designed to accompany the contextual essay “A Changing of the Guard: Traditionalist, Feminist, and the New Face of Women in Congress, 1955–1976,” from the Women in Congress website, history.house.gov/exhibition-and-publications/wic/women-in-congress/. Students have the opportunity to learn more about the women who served in Congress from 1955 to 1976. Students are encouraged to analyze the role women Representatives and Senators played in Congress during this era, as well as the ways in which they may have changed the institution.

Prerequisite: Students need to know the function of each of the branches of government. In this activity, students examine documents from U.S. history to examples of specific "checks and balances."

How does a bill become a law? What is the role of Congress and the President in this process? How did the Clean Water Act of 1972 become a law?

Committees improve the organization of the Senate and House of Representatives. Members of Congress cannot be experts on all issues. For this reason, the Senate and House of Representatives developed committees that focus on particular subjects.