The text of the famous Supreme Court decision, Marbury v. Madison, is presented here.

Reasons for the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act are briefly described. The article also describes the colonial assemblies' reasons for fearing and speaking out against these taxes. The biggest question, Parliament's right to tax the colonies, is also discussed.

This resource presents the full text of the Virginia Resolution of 1798, in which the General Assembly of the State of Virginia protests the enactment of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

Included here are Thomas Jefferson's two inaugural addresses and his State of the Nation speeches. You can follow Jefferson's increased distress concerning the young nation's treatment by European nations. Fascinating reading.

This resource provides an essay discussing the migration of American colonists into the Ohio River Valley and the impact on the Native Americans living in the area.

This article offers a detailed history of early 19th century westward migration and the social diversity of the pioneers moving west.

A four-page discussion of Reconstruction from the plans Lincoln made while the Civil War was still raging to the end of Reconstruction with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.

The Virginia Bill of Rights was the framework for the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Some of Mason's actual phrasing appear in the first ten amendments passed fifteen years later. He is credited for authoring the first American document that limited the authority of government and strengthened the rights of individuals.

This resrouce gives the text of Gerald Ford's State of the Union Address in 1977.

Humor is not the first thing people associate with Poe, but this essay offers a look at the humor that Poe attempted in his writing. Good for a different look at an often-studied author. Offers a bibliography and links to online texts.

This article provides extensive excerpts from "The Autobiography of Frederick Douglass." This is a lot of information about the great abolitionist and orator written by himself.

The original text of British Prime Minister William Pitt's actual speech to Parliament describing his disapproval of the Stamp Act and why he felt it should be repealed.

Detailed biography of John Adams' life prior to the American Revolution, beginning with his childhood with sections on all the important periods of his life. Site also includes texts of the inaugural address, state of the union addresses and Adams' address to Congress on the XYZ affair.

Here one finds President Johnson's address to the nation in which he lays out his legislative priorities and his assessment of foreign affairs the early part of his administration.

Gives a historical description of the events that led up to the Boston Tea Party (1773).

Read an in-depth biography on former Chief Justice, John Marshall. Topics in the biography include his early life, his life during the Revolutionary War, and his term as Chief Justice. Also includes information about major cases in which Marshal was involved during his career.

The text of a 1649 colonial act concerning religion in Maryland. Describes punishment of any who reject Christian teaching.

This last section of an extensive essay about the railroad in United States history discusses the role of the railroad in the 20th century.