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Boston University library Beth Restrick has created a master list of nearly 20 digitized collections on African culture and history, all openly accessible on the internet.

She has grouped the links into three sections: manuscript collections, map collections (such as the "Voyages en Afrique" site pictured below) and maps.

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This remarkable resource from Harvard University lets you interact with and visualize an astounding amount of contemporary and historical statistical data about the continent -- everything from trade routes and important architectural sites to health statistics, language groups, and population density.

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Envisioned by its creator as the "Library of Alexandria 2.0," archive.org has several amazing collections: the "Wayback Machine," which has archived webpages dating back to 1996, the Prelinger Collection, which contains some 48,000 newsreels and short films, concert recordings (including 9000 rare recordings of the grateful dead), the Internet Arcade, where you can play old coin-operated video games from the 1970s, and -- of course -- millions of digitized books.

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MJP's tagline is "modernism began in the magazines." This digital archive provides a fascinating view of the birth of modernist literature. These selected journals also provide access to important discussions and key debates that accompanied progressive reform campaigns (e.g. consumer protection) as well as the rise of the feminist, labor, and civil rights movements.

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Over 30,000 political & propaganda posters collected from 80 different countries.  The website is currently in transition, so it is very plain, but the posters are not.   A great way to work with foreign language sources when you are still becoming proficient in the language.

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Documenting the wartime viewpoints and diverse political sentiments of the twentieth century, the Poster Collection has more than one hundred thousand posters from around the world and continues to grow. Thirty-three thousand are available online. Posters from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia/Soviet Union, and France predominate, though posters from more than eighty countries are included. Additional posters can be found in various individual archival collections.
Poster collection
Digitized posters from more than eighty countries, mainly from the twentieth century.

See More:

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Documenting the wartime viewpoints and diverse political sentiments of the twentieth century, the Poster Collection has more than one hundred thousand posters from around the world and continues to grow. Thirty-three thousand are available online. Posters from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia/Soviet Union, and France predominate, though posters from more than eighty countries are included.

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15,000 maps online dating back as far as the 13th century and representing nearly every part of the planet.  Using the filters on the left-hand side, you can narrow, for example, to get railroad maps for 19th century Arkansas or French maps of 18th century Tibet.

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Vast range in this University of Pittsburgh digital archive: browse an archive of propaganda images of Stalin one minute,  and one of over one hundred 19th century school textbooks the next

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This LDS-maintained website is like a free version of ancestry.com. Though its target audience is genealogists, it is also the single-best digital collection for social historians. For Arkansas, for instance, it has all of the papers of the Freedmen's Bureau, all Confederate Pension records, and 19th century probate records for every county. And they've done this kind of collecting globally as well as locally! Their records for Brazil, for instance, are as extensive as their records for Arkansas.

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All Published Record Collections - FamilySearch.org

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Discover your family history. Explore the world's largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

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The World Digital Library is a remarkable site that even contains page-by-page photographic reproductions of centuries-old
books.  The collection may be deeper than wide.  It does not always seem as comprehensive as other digital sites, but what is available seems to be reproduced in its entirety.

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The World Digital Library provides free access to manuscripts, rare books, maps, photographs, and other important cultural documents from all countries and cultures, in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

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This site contains a lot of secondary source material and information directed at the high school level.  With some digging collegiate-level students can also find a fairly extensive amount of good primary text material.

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This is a collection of resources to help World History teachers move from print to digital.

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This site is associated with the University of California system and Michigan University.  It has an extensive collection of printed sources, particularly periodical literature.  While some of the
articles were published fairly recently there is a very large amount of European material from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

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In the Northern Hemisphere, we are on the brink of spring, which means gardens and picnics! But don't be fooled - this is no egg salad sandwich amid blooming tulips. Explore the selections and maybe find a new favorite sandwich.

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HathiTrust Digital Library - Millions of books online

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In the Northern Hemisphere, we are on the brink of spring, which means gardens and picnics! But don't be fooled - this is no egg salad sandwich amid blooming tulips. Explore the selections and maybe find a new favorite sandwich.

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In the late 1990s Paul Halsall of Fordham University created the Internet History Sourcebooks Project.  It is now the granddaddy of digital World History primary text sites, and while its collection is remarkably comprehensive
it often has short, edited passages rather than full texts.

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Internet History Sourcebooks Project

[2023]

Welcome to The Internet History Sourcebooks Project, a collection of public domain and copy-permitted historical texts presented cleanly (without advertising or excessive layout) for educational use. Primary sources are available here mainly for use in high-school and university/college courses. From the outset the site took a very broad view of the sources that should be available to students and as well as documents long associated with a "western civilization" approach to history also provides much information on Byzantine, Islamic, Jewish, Indian, East Asian, and African history. You will also find many documents especially relevant to women's history and LGBT studies.

Search engines such as Google now deliver many users directly to relevant documents, but the various Index pages are the key to the best use of this site. You can access the major divisions of the site from the subject indexes at the top of each page. Within each major division the left panel on each page directs you to more focused indexes. Any given document may be listed in several indexes.

The IHSP is both very large and fairly old in Internet terms. At the time it was begun (1996), it was not clear that web sites and the documents made available there would often turn out to be ephemeral. The index pages therefore contained links to the thousands of documents available at this Fordham University website alongside links to documents at other websites. As a result of a process called "link rot" (where a broken link results from someone having taken down a web page) this means some links no longer worked. An effort has been made to repair or remove bad links. If you come across one, though, you will often be able to find archived versions of such documents by using the Wayback Machine [www.archive.org].

This site at Fordham can now be searched via the Search box at the top of each page.

I am always happy to hear from people who wish to submit copy permitted texts to the various sites below.

The Internet History Sourcebooks

Internet Ancient History Sourcebook
A "classroom usable" sourcebook of copy-permitted material for Ancient history and civilization courses.

Internet Medieval Sourcebook
This is an online sourcebook of copy-permitted, although not necessarily copyright-free, source material for Medieval Studies. It is the largest online resource of medieval and Byzantine textual sources.

Internet Modern History Sourcebook
Now with almost as many online texts as the Medieval Sourcebook, this also constitutes a "classroom usable" sourcebook of copy-permitted material for Modern European history and Modern Civilization courses. North American and Latin American documents are located within its structure.

SUBSIDIARY SOURCEBOOKS
The following consist of thematically based subsets of texts, with some additional documents and links, of the three main Source-books listed above.
SOURCEBOOK THEMES
The following consist of thematically based subsets of texts entirely taken from the three main Sourcebooks listed above, along with documents from the subsidiary source-books

Travelers' Accounts
Traveler's accounts of their journeys and the lands they visit are important sources in understanding the past. As outsiders, travelers often note aspects of a culture that are too commonplace for local commentators to mention. More than this, travelers often provide some insight into how their own society understood itself in relation to other cultures.

Slavery in World Cultures
Slavery has been a cross-cultural social and legal insititution in many human societies. Throughout the Internet History Sourcebooks Project, there are a number of primary source documents related to slavery and this page brings them together.

Legal History:
Laws and formal prescriptions or codes of behavior are some of the commonest types of primary source documents.

Historical Movies

Course Web Sites by Paul Halsall
Various course websites which reflect the use of IHSP documents.

The Site Concept and Design: created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 6 October 2023 [ Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Paul Halsall CV] Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University. Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.

©

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Internet History Sourcebooks Project [2023] Welcome to The Internet History Sourcebooks Project, a collection of public domain and copy-permitted historical texts presented cleanly (without advertising or excessive layout) for educational use. Primary sources are available here mainly for use in high-school and university/college courses.

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This collaboration between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities provides access to over 5 million pages of digitized historical newspapers .  Great for contemporary perspectives on almost any topic between 1836 and 1922.

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Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1770-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more

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Chronicling America " Library of Congress

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Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1770-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present.

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The Schomburg Center (a division of New York Public Library) has digitized over 11,000 documents (mostly images) relating to African history, the history of slavery, and the lives of people of African descent throughout the Americas after emancipation. This is one of the oldest collections about the African diaspora in the world -- the brainchild of Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican writer and archivist.

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[Africana & Black History] - NYPL Digital Collections

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This digital compilation was developed in support of the NYPL website, "The African American Migration Experience," a sweeping 500-year historical narrative from the transatlantic slave trade to the Western migration, the colonization movement, the Great Migration, and the contemporary immigration of Caribbeans, Haitians, and sub-Saharan Africans.

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A U.S.- and Canada- focused list of digital archives organized mostly by state, courtesy of Open Educational Database. Even browsing the list of archives may give you ideas. For example, could documents from the National Sea Grant Library help you examine the origins of the climate change debate?

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250+ Killer Digital Libraries and Archives | OEDB.org

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OEDb.org has compiled a 2015 list of more than 250 digital libraries available across the country. Explore the free archives available in your state.

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Native American Constitution and Law Digitization Project

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Native American Constitution and Law Digitization Project

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This Oklahoma University and National Indian Law Library project has digitized numerous legal documents (constitutions, treaties, law codes, etc.) relating to native nations' struggles for tribal sovereignty in the United States.

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An online resource of newspapers during the American Revolution

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The American Revolution and Maryland's Press

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The American Revolution and Maryland's Press

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A fantastic site that details the American Revolution through Maryland's Newspapers.

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Barker, Charles Albro. The Background of the Revolution in Maryland. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1940. reprint, Archon Books, 1967. Countryman, Edward. The American Revolution. New York: Hill and Wang, 1985. Hoffman, Ronald. A Spirit of Dissention: Economics, Politics, and the Revolution in Maryland. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1973.

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Almost all of Benjamin Franklin's Papers...digitized.

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Packard Humanities Institute: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin

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Packard Humanities Institute, Benjamin Franklin

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A Wide Array of Early American Primary Sources

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A Wide Array of Early American Primary Sources

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This is a "treasure trove" of sorts--a great array of major primary sources in early America's history. Check it out!

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Primary Source Documents Pertaining to Early American History

An invaluable collection of historical works which contributed to the formation of American politics, culture, and ideals The following is a massive collection of the literature and documents which were most relevant to the colonists' lives in America. If it isn't here, it probably is not available online anywhere.

ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE (500 B.C.-1800 A.D.) (Use Your Browser'sFIND Function to Search this Library)

American Colonists With Royal Ancestries A large number of American Colonists trace their roots back to the Kings and Queens of Europe. Here is a list of some of them.

Classical Literature Having Significant Influence Upon the American Colonists

Classic Philosophers and Poets, Most of the founding fathers in America were thorougly familiar with these Greco-Roman authors: e.g., Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, Virgil.
Ancient and Medieval Classics, The Great Books of Western Civilization now available online. These writings provide the European framework of the cultural backdrop in which America was established.
The Latin Library, (Cicero, Livy, Horace, etc.) Ability to read these sources extemporaneously was an entrance requirement at colonial schools such as Harvard.
VULGATE, The Holy Bible In Latin Language With Douay-Rheims English Translation

Old/New Testament Greek Lexicon, on-line Old/New Testament Greek Lexicon.
Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon, on-line Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon.

The Holy Bible was, of course, the most influential piece of literature in Colonial America

The New Strong's Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible; Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Expanded edition (April 13, 2010). This hardbound book includes includes expanded Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, as well as the best of Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary.
BibleGateway, A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages.
Bible, A searchable online Bible, multiple versions and languages.
Logos Bible Software 4, Software to aid investigation of the original meaning by studying the Bible's Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words. Multiple upgrades, also en Espanol.

St. Augustine was the church father of choice among American Puritans.

St. Augustine, English translations of his works on predestination which greatly influenced the Puritans.

Sowing the seeds of separation of Church and State in the English world. (1164) Established rights of laymen and the church in England. (1166) Defined rights and duties of courts and people in criminal cases. Foundation of the principle of "due process." (1181) Defined rights and duties of people and militias. (1215) One of the American colonists' most revered documents, the , (index page for several framed "simultaneous-view" versions) - Henry de Bracton (1268) This text was the most important legal treatise written in England in the medieval period as it organized, systematized, and explicated the principles of English Common Law later embraced by the American colonists. , St. Thomas Aquinas (1265-1273) Pinnacle of Scholasticism. Covering a wide range of topics, by the colonial times, most educated people in the Western world were thoroughly familiar with this important text. [excerpt] (@1300), the description of the South Pacific which inspired Columbus to attempt to go to India by way of the Atlantic. , The sources studied by many of the lawyers who founded the U.S. , Directions for witch hunting (1486) , Christopher Columbus, (1492). This document begins with Columbus' statement that the reason why Isabella sponsored his voyage was for the sake of going to India to convert Khan to Roman Catholicism. , Christopher Columbus (1493) , Christopher Columbus (1494) (1497) Cabot was the first Englishman to discover New England. , Machiavelli (1513) Practical advice on governance and statecraft, with thoughts on the kinds of problems any government must be able to solve to endure. , The father of the Protestant Reformation, his principles were a major part of the American colonists' worldview. , December 3, 1821). , Luther (1524). Luther claimed that this particular document was the cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation; it argues the idea of predestination and God's sovereignty, two principles which were paramount to many of the American colonists. , Henry VIII (1534). By this act, the English Reformation began, and the pope was stripped of his jurisdiction over the English Church. This allowed Lutheran principles to make their way into the English church, and led to the birth of Puritanism. , John Calvin (1540). Calvin's magnum opus. The most celebrated American historian, George Bancroft, called Calvin "the father of America," and added: "He who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American liberty." To John Calvin and the Genevan theologians, President John Adams credited a great deal of the impetus for religious liberty (Adams, WORKS, VI:313). This document includes a justification for rebellion to tyrants by subordinate government officials; this particular justification was at the root of the Dutch, English, and American Revolutions. , Copernicus (1543). This document touched off the Scientific Revolution as it repudiated the Geocentric theory and asserted a Heliocentric theory of the solar system. (1545) The Roman Catholic responses to the Protestant Reformation. vol. 6, pg. 4). Published in Strassbourg in 1556, it is one of the first works out of the Reformation to advocate active resistance to tyrannical magistrates, with the exception of the Magdeburg Bekkentis (the Magdeburg Confession). , Christopher Goodman (1558). Justifying a Christian's right to resist a tyrannical ruler. Goodman indicated that he had presented the thesis of this book to John Calvin, and Calvin endorsed it. , John Knox (1558). A vigorous critique of the tyranny of "Bloody Mary's" reign in England, and a call to resist. A large portion of the Americans who fought in the American Revolution were adherents to Knox's doctrines as set forth in this document. , Elizabeth I (1559). After the brief and bloody reign of her sister, Mary I, who executed numerous Protestants for the cause of Roman Catholicism, this document states Elizabeth's intention to reaffirm the English Church's independence from Rome. Her beloved status among her subjects caused the first settlers of America to name their colony "Virginia" in honor of this virgin queen. , Including her letters and her poems. , Theodore Beza (1570) Laying out the principle that God willed and predestined the fall of Adam and the existence of sin and evil. This assertion became the most controversial philosophical conflict among American colonists up through the 19th century. (1570) Philosophy of Education among English people, particularly with respect to the importance of learning Latin. (1571) The official statement of faith of the Church of England; this document formally adopts the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination and repudiates common notion of "free will." (1571) Forbidding criticism of Queen Elizabeth. , Theodore Beza (1574). Expanding upon Calvin's political resistance theory set forth in the final chapters of his Institutes, this work by Calvin's successor in Geneva, Theodore Beza, was published in response to the growing tensions between Protestant and Catholic in France, which culminated in the St. Bartholomew Day Massacre in 1572. This text suggests that it is the right of a Christian to revolt against a tyrannical King: a principle central to the American colonists' cause. , Nicholas Monardes (1577) , Sponsor of the First Settlements in Virginia , George Buchanan (1579) Considered the most important piece of political writing in the 16th century as it articulated the doctrine of "the rule of law." , or, A Vindication Against Tyrants (1579). This Calvinist document is one of the first to set forth the theory of "social contract" upon which the United States was founded. The idea was disseminated through the English Calvinists to the pen of John Locke, and eventually into the Declaration of Independence. John Adams reported the relevance of this document to the American struggle. has suggested that Jefferson may have consciously drawn on this document. John Adams said that the Dutch charters had "been particularly studied, admired, and imitated in every State" in America, and he stated that "the analogy between the means by which the two republics [Holland and U.S.A.] arrived at independency... will infallibly draw them together." , Thomas Hariot. (from this page, either view on-line or use button on left side of page to download as a pdf file) , Richard Hakluyt, (1584) (1586) Early diary of a Puritan whose family eventually settled in America. , Ralph Lane (1586). The first English attempt at colonizing the New World , John White (1590) Relating the surprise of the loss of the Roanoake colony and the few clues left regarding their fate. (1593) Parliament's tough words against those who would attempt to depose Elizabeth for her Protestantism. (1593) Anglican political commentator and major influence upon John Locke. , James I Stuart (1598). Championed the doctrine of "Divine Right of Kings." This oppressive political theory contributed to the exodus of the Puritans to America in 1630, and resistance to it was the ultimate goal of three revolutions: 1) the Puritan Revolution of the 1640s, 2) the Glorious Revolution, and 3) the American Revolution. , Sir Walter Raleigh (1599) Promoting the doctrine of "Divine Right of Kings." Major Medieval Sources Having Significant Influence Upon the American Colonists Ordinance of William the Conqueror
Laws of William the Conqueror Constitutions of Clarendon
Assize of Clarendon
Assize of Arms
Magna Carta Magna Carta established the principle that no one, not even the king or a lawmaker, is above the law of God.

De Legibus Et Consuetudinibus Angliæ
Summa Theologica
Marco Polo's Travels The First Manual of Parliamentary Procedure
An English Law Library The Declaration of Arbroath (1320) Scotland's declaration of independence from England. An early model for the U.S. Declaration, this document ends with a phrase parallel to that of the U.S. Declaration: "and to Him as the Supreme King and Judge we commit the maintenance of our cause, casting our cares upon Him and firmly trusting that He will inspire us with courage and bring our enemies to nought." Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Sources Profoundly Impacting the History of America Malleus Maleficarum
Journal
Epistola De Insulis Nuper Inventis
Letter to the King and Queen of Spain
King Henry VII's Commission to John Cabot
The Prince
Works of Martin Luther
Temporal Authority: To What Extent it Should Be Obeyed , Luther (1523). Also referred to as "On Secular Authority", this document started the political discussion about religious liberty which led to the American Revolution. In this document Luther sets forth the idea of "two kingdoms," one is political and the other is spiritual, and the two ought be separate. President James Madison commended this "due distinction, to which the genius and courage of Luther led the way, between what is due to Caesar and what is due to God." ( Madison to F.L. Schaeffer
The Bondage of the Will
The Act of Supremacy
Institutes of the Christian Religion
The Journey of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza De Vaca From The Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies
The Council of Trent
A Short Treatise on Political Power , John Ponet, D.D. (1556) President John Adams credited this Calvinist document as being at the root of the theory of government adopted by the the Americans. According to Adams, Ponet's work contained "all the essential principles of liberty, which were afterward dilated on by Sidney and Locke" including the idea of a three-branched government. (Adams, Works, How Superior Powers Ought to Be Obeyed by Their Subjects
The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women
Act of Supremacy
Complete Works of Elizabeth I
Writings and Speeches of Elizabeth I Foxe's Book of Martyrs
(1563). Detailing the bloody persecutions of Puritans during the reign of Mary I, this book was second only to the Bible in its popularity in the American colonies. Supralapsarian Calvinism The Scholemaster The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
Treasons Act
The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
The Right of Magistrates Over Their Subjects
Of the Tabaco and of His Greate Vertues The Works of Sir Walter Raleigh
De Jure Regni apud Scotos
Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos
The Dutch Declaration of Independence
(1581); This Calvinistic document served as a model for the U.S. Declaration of Independence. In his Autobiography, Jefferson indicated that the "Dutch Revolution" gave evidence and confidence to the Second Continental Congress that the American Revolution could likewise commence and succeed. Recent scholarship
A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia Discourse of Western Planting
Adam Winthrop's Commonplace Book
The Colony of Roanoke
Return To Roanoake
An Act Against Papists
Works of Richard Hooker
A Trew Law of Free Monarchs
The Dutie of A King
The Geneva Bible provides some historical reference to aid understanding, and discusses the 'margin notes' and the footnotes which provide a Calvinistic theological interpretation of the Bible. This study
The Geneva Bible (1560/1599) presents the Bible both with and without footnotes. As the Bible of choice in New England, it is distincly different from the KJV of 1609 or 1611.

The Geneva Bible was the Bible of choice for the Puritans, the Calvinists, and the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock. It was first published in English in 1560 in Geneva, then updated in 1599. This introduction to

A Never Before in History: America's Inspired Birth
Seventeenth Century Sources Relating to American History Colonial Maps Charters of all the Colonies

(Six bilingual dictionaries) John Palsgrave (1530; English-French), Sir Thomas Elyot (1538; Latin-English), William Thomas (1550; Italian-English), Thomas Thomas (1587; Latin-English), John Florio (1598; Italian-English), Randle Cotgrave (1611; French-English)

(Four English hard-word dictionaries) - (These give pairs of French, Italian, and Latin dictionaries, each pair separated by 50-80 years) Edmund Coote (1596) Robert Cawdrey (1604; courtesy of Raymond Siemens) John Bullokar (1616) Henry Cockeram (1623)

(One English word-list) Richard Mulcaster (1582)

(The first full English-only dictionary) Thomas Blount (1656)

For this entry, the previous subject matter was "Original Dictionaries of the 16th & 17th Centuries" and was linked to excellent work done at the University of Toronto. Time has marched on, links disappear. The works have matured and expanded. Our original list was--;
Useful summary of developments and timeline for the larger compilation in the following item. Begun in Jamestown in 1610 and 1611, these laws are the earliest extant English-language body of laws in the western hemisphere. It was not a legal code in the modern sense. In this document, the commonly known "Laws of Virginia" begin to display on what is identified as "page 9" yet this web-page is a single document/page. Interesting timeline and digest format This blog/journal/post has numerous citations, mostly PBS, about comparing and merging the concepts of indentured servitude (began in 1607 with Europeans) and slavery and the beginnings of racism. Describes arrival of the first African slaves in 1619. Arminius was a Dutchman who dared to challenge Luther and Calvin on the predestination issue. His writings led to a major controversy in Holland while the "Pilgrims" were residing there. Arminius's views were adopted by Archbishop Laud of England, which greatly contributed to the English Calvinists' desire to leave England in 1630. (1619). The Synod at Dort in the Netherlands was called to respond to the views of the Arminians. Participating in this Synod moderated by Gomarus was the leader of the Pilgrims, as well as William Ames (the leading Puritan theologian of the day). As a result of this synod, the "five points of Calvinism" were developed. The "five points," also called TULIP, became a centerpiece of Puritanism and were ardently defended by American Calvinists such as Jonathan Edwards. The conflict between Calvinists and Arminians was perhaps the most explosive debate in America in the early 18th century. On the Calvinist side, Americans such as Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards wrote philosophical defenses; on the Arminian side, John Wesley was the premiere mouthpiece. While Madison wrote in defense of Calvinism, Thomas Jefferson utterly repudiated it. (1620). The first political covenant of the New England migration. , 24 July 1621. (Written 1630-1654, first published 1854). This is Governor William Bradford's history of Plymouth, the most comprehensive primary source available on early Plymouth. , William Bradford. An eyewitness history of the first English settlers of New England. . (London, 1622). This journal, written by several Pilgrims--namely William Bradford and Edward Winslow--records events at Plymouth from the Mayflower's arrival in November 1620 through the First Thanksgiving in October 1621, and everything in between. (1621) There were no clergymen among the pilgrims at Plymouth when they first settled. This sermon was written and given by a layman, Robert Cushman, to the Plymouth congregation in December 1621. Robert Cushman was a member of the Pilgrims church in Leyden, Holland, and came on (and returned in) the ship Fortune. We can tell a lot about a culture by looking at their wills. (London, 1624). This book, authored by Edward Winslow, continues the journal in Mourt's Relation, covering the years 1622 and 1623 at Plymouth. , Hugo Grotius (1625, Latin) One of the first works on international law. (1626) The source of the $24 dollar legend. , Sir Edward Coke (1628). This document set forth complaints of the members of Parliament to King Charles I regarding rights of due process. Charles did not receive this complaint warmly. As a result, Charles I shut down Parliament, which ultimately culminated in the English Civil War, and contributed to the exodus of 20,000 Puritans to New England. , Documents showing the growth of Parliament's hatred for King Charles I, first complaining against his closet Catholicism, his Arminianism, and his presumptuousness in levying taxes without the consent of Parliament. , John Winthrop. A Journal of Religious Experiences. (1629). This document sets forth the Puritans' commission in New England. , A catalogue of the books available for the Puritan Laywer who founded Boston. Interesting mention of John Cotton in related study Again, interesting mention of John Cotton in related study ), and begins on page 192 in the viewer's navigation bar (1639) Scotland's declaration of resistance to Charles I. (1639) Acknowledged by scholars to be a prototype of the U.S. (1639) web-site copy (1639) Includes the text (from preface of book it mentions) "The , William Wood (1639) , John Winthrop (excerpts), Tremendous and valuable insights into the mind of the Puritan leader. , John Winthrop (1639) A merchant named Robert Keayne was practicing capitalistic economics in Boston and was squarely rebuked for it by John Cotton and Governor Winthrop. (1639-40) This web-page image includes pages 209-238. The content for this specific item begins (scrolling down) on page 224. The many aspects of regulation of tobacco are found throughout these records, as it was a significant component of the community's existence. , John Selden (1640) (1640) With an Introduction written by Richard Mather. (1641) Early written expression of the liberties asserted by the colonists in reaction to the oppressions of European governments. , Thomas Hobbes (1641-47) Discussion of the natural law foundations of government. (1641) An oath taken by British citizens loyal to the Puritan interests in Parliament. said that this Puritan "precedent" was an inspiration to the American cause. , by John Cotton (1642) (1642) Requiring that every father teach his children the Catechism; if not, the children shall be taken from the home. constitution in America. , Thomas Browne (1643) The Religion of a Physician; showing the link between religion and Enlightenment science in the 17th century. , Roger Williams , Roger Williams (1644) Early expression of the principle of religious tolerance by the founder of the colony of Rhode Island. by Diane Purkiss. Review of a book containing first-Hand military accounts of the English Civil War, including an account that was used as evidence against Charles I in 1649 - purported to be the first war crimes trial. It also illuminates the evolution of the techniques of war, such as "Women come to the fore as battlefield cooks and nurses." Synopsis of events and timeframe , Samuel Rutherford (1644). This excerpt shows Rutherford's social contract theory and includes the Puritan theory of resistance to a tyrant. Author: Samuel Rutherford, newly set type by Portage Publications, Medium: Hi-fidelity Portable Document Format (PDF), Last Updated: June 19, 2010, Download Size: 1.6 MB, Suggested Donation: US $2.00 , John Milton (1644). A treatise arguing that true Christianity can win its own arguments, and does not need to worry about challenges from other points of view, and therefore, the Government should not prevent the publication of any ideas. This idea was later articulated by Locke in his Letters Concerning Toleration, and picked up by Madison and Jefferson in their establishment of religious liberty in the U.S. (1644) Situated under the heading "NOVUM BELGIUM" 1646 , John Winthrop (1645) Discusses liberties demanded by the colonists. (London, 1646). This is a religious treatise written by Edward Winslow. , John Geree (1646) ] In addition to being the decree of Parliament as the standard for Christian doctrine in the British Kingdom, it was adopted as the official statement of belief for the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Although slighlty altered and called by different names, it was the creed of Congregationalist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Churches throughout the English speaking world. Assent to the Westminster Confession was officially required at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Princeton scholar, Benjamin Warfield wrote: "It was impossible for any body of Christians in the [English] Kingdoms to avoid attending to it." . (London, 1647). This is another religious treatise written by Edward Winslow. (1647) A proposal for a republican government in England (1649); Including Judge Bradshaw's response appealing to social contract theory. , Samuel Rutherford (1649) Exploring the extent to which a government can coerce religious conformity. (1649) The manifesto of the Levellers, the leaders of the 1649 English Civil War that deposed Charles I and brought a period of parliamentary rule. It expresses many of the ideals that later inspired the American Revolution. (1650) by John Milton in defense of the execution of Charles I by the British Parliament a few days after its occurance. It includes an excellent evaluation and summation of the political literature produced on the Continent in the 16th Century. Charles I was the first monarch executed in Europe by his subjects, setting the stage for a religious struggle which would grip Britain for several decades to come. , Thomas Hobbes (1651) Laid basis for social contract theory, providing branching point for the theories of , 1653; The Constitution of the English Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. Many of the founders, such as Samuel Adams, considered Oliver Cromwell their hero, and considered the Commonwealth as the glory years of England. , Sir Henry Vane, 1656, published the following tract, expounding the principles of civil and religious liberty, and proposed that method of forming a constitution, through a convention called for the purpose, which was actually followed in America after the Revolution. , James Harrington (1656) Outline of a plan for republican government. (1657) _-[also see "History of Flushing Meeting" in left margin] Proclamation granting liberty to "Jews, Muslims, and Quakers" on Long Island, New York, on the grounds of New Testament graciousness. Extremely progressive for the American colonies. (1657) Begin reading on page 19. , John Milton (1659). A formative influence upon the ideals of religious toleration adopted by John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. , King Charles II Stuart (1660), As the Stuart King was to be restored to the throne after the end of the reign of the Puritan Protectorates, one of his first decisions was to attempt to avoid another religious war, by granting religious liberty to "tender consciences," so long as they did not disturb the peace. (1660); A Declaration of Both Houses of Parliament. , [excerpt on predestination] Francis Turretin (1660) The principle textbook used by students in American colleges in the 18th century (used at Princeton into the late 19th century). ,. Volume 1 (of 3 books), 1st through 10th topics, reviewed by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon free download of pdf file of all 20 topics. , Lion Gardiner (1660) (1662) As the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell came to an end and Charles II was restored to the throne of England, the Church of England once again introduced a new Book of Common Prayer. This was the guiding document for many throughout the American colonies, particularly in Virginia (1662) The document which provided the religious training for many of the founding fathers of the U.S. (e.g., Washington, Madison, Henry, Wythe, Mason). (1662) Recounting the settlement at Plymouth , Michael Wigglesworth (1662) , Robert Horne (1666) , John Milton (1667) Complete on-line access. by Baruch de Spinoza (1670) Discussed the ultimate source of legitimate political power. Two versions offered for comparison--; Samuel Shirley is the 2nd Edition translator working from Gebhardt 1st Edition translation in Heidelberg in 1925 - - included advanced notations and corrections beyond Elwes. Scanned and converted to searchable HTML. Source was original complete English translation by R.M.H. Elwes in 1883 working from Bruder's 1843 Latin text - - several inaccuracies known. , Samuel Green, ed. (c.1671) , Samuel Puffendorf (1672, tr. Basil Kennett 1703) , Samuel Pufendorf (1673). The political theorist of choice among American Puritans in the early 18th century. , According to Ben Franklin's Autobiography, Bunyan was his "favorite author." , Robert Barclay (1675). A Quaker treatise later used in favor of American Independence. was the primary textbook used at Harvard College. , The best-selling textbook used by children in the colonial period. Millions of copies were in print. Filled with Calvinist principles, the influence of this little document is inestimable. , January 1687 , 30 July 1676 , Governor William Berkely, 19 May 1676 , Baruch de Spinoza (1677) Constitutional considerations of various forms of government, including ideas that later influenced the Founders. , Anne Bradstreet (1678) (1679) English Parliament established key right which was embraced in America. , Robert Filmer. A treatise defending the "divine right of Kings." This was the document which Locke and Sydney both had in mind as they wrote their political tracts which formed the American founders' political theory. Although this was written around 1640 in defense of Charles I's divine right, it was not published until 1680. The House of Commons drafted a Bill to exclude the Duke of York from the succession The second drafted Exclusion Bill was defeated in the House of the Lords. , Morgan Goodwyn (1681). , William Penn (1682) Early model for written constitutions. , William Penn (1682) , Edward Randolph, 12 June 1683 , Edward Randolph (1685) , Isaac Newton (1687) One of the three most significant influences upon Jefferson. , Samuel Pufendorf (1688) Based law and right on natural law. , April 7, 1688 (1688) This invitation was sent by the "Immortal Seven" and was the beginning of the end of the "Glorious Revolution". (1688) Parliament pledges its loyalty to William and Mary. (1689) Established the requirement that the monarch uphold "the Protestant reformed religion" (1689) Early model for recognizing natural rights in writing. Much of its language appeared later in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. John Locke (1689) Principal proponent of the social contract theory which forms the basis for modern constitutional republican government. , John Locke (1689) Classic statement of the case for toleration of those holding different views. (1689) Drawn from the Westminster Confession, this document set for the beliefs of English Baptists during this era. , Cotton Mather (1698) , Table of Contents. Algernon Sidney (1698) Built principles of popular government from foundation of natural law and the social contract. This book has been considered by scholars the "textbook of the American Revolution." , Algernon Sidney, excerpts. page which has multiple viewing options , Perhaps the most valuable primary source collection on the internet. 17th Century Colonial New England, with special emphasis on the Essex County Witch-Hunt of 1692 - other resources = links. (or Picky, Picky, Picky!), by Arthur Miller (excerpts), Cotton Mather (1693) , Increase Mather (1693) , Samuel Willard (1694) , Cotton Mather (1698) , Cotton Mather (1698) , Samuel Sewall (1700) An argument against the slave trade. , Thomas Bray, D.D. (1700) Documenting the Anglican view of the colonists and appended with a proposition to found the SPG (Society for Progating the Gospel). , 31 December 1701 , Cotton Mather (1701) , Cotton Mather (1702) This link opens to the page for "A General Introduction", one of the more commonly cited parts of this work. .... Source cited for this was Alan Taylor, American Colonies: The Settlement of North America (New York: Penguin Books, 2001), pp. 146-150. , by John Law (1705) , Ann Putnam (1706) , Pierre Bayle (1708) A writer recommended by Thomas Jefferson, Bayle criticised French Catholic persecution of Protestants; and argued for toleration as a matter of Biblical principle. [excerpt] (1709) [excerpts regarding slave punishments] (1709) , Cotton Mather (1709) This excerpt from Mather's sermon shows how Mather, with other Puritans, believed that America was truly the "Promised Land." This thinking led ultimately to the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, whereby Anglo-Americans believed that it was their divine commission to spread their culture from Atlantic to Pacific. , Increase Mather (1710). A sermon wrestling with the paradox between predestination and man's effort toward salvation. Mather appears nearly contradictory throughout. , Benjamin Wadsworth (1712) , Matthew Hale (1713) , John Wise (1717) A Puritan political sermon which included most of the principles of government embraced by the founders of the U.S. , Cotton Mather. Here, as a watershed in the history of medical science in America, Mather takes a position in favor of inoculation. , John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon (1720-23) English newspaper articles advocating Whig principles, which much influenced the American colonists. A model for a federal system of government for several Native American nations, Franklin lauded the Iroquois for their ability to confederate. (1727) The rules governing the college where Thomas Jefferson received his training. , 11 September 1728 , 17 September 1728 , Andrew Clarkson (1731); arguing against unconditional submission to the National Church and magistrates. , Henry St. John Bolingbroke (1733). A heavy influence upon Jefferson. , General James Oglethorpe (1733) , Count Zinzendorf (1733) Page 1, electronic text, navigation buttons at bottom , Henry St. John Bolingbroke (1735) , Bolingbroke (1736) , 18 October 1736 (1737) Summary - click on button for full text. , Bolingbroke (1738) and use the browser function to read further with SECTION 1. - Ephesians 1:19, 20 - of 16 sections in this chapter. (1740) The desire of this group to land an Anglican Bishop in the American colonies ignited the American Revolution. , Jonathan Dickinson (1741) Jonathan Dickinson was the first President of the College at Princeton, New Jersey. In this excerpt, Dickinson states that atheism is pure "stupidity" and "madness." Dickinson's opinion in this regard represented the consensus in America. Subsequently all of the founders of the United States were certain of the existence of a Deity. On the other hand, Dickinson here emphasizes the doctrine of Predestination, which was the central controversy of the eighteenth century in the Colonies. Colonists' opinions were divided in this regard. Earlier in the century predestination was the majority view, but by the end of the century a belief in "free-will" had become prevalent among many such as Methodists. , Enlightenment Philosopher, Theologian, Orator, Scientist; Edwards was the most important American-born Great Awakening preacher and defender of orthodox Calvinism. This page links to both volumes of "Works of..." as well as other titles. , Known for his supreme oratory skills, Whitefield was the most famous inter-colonial celebrity during the Great Awakening. The inter-colonial nature of Whitefield's ministry was an important step in the development of the intercolonial union which commenced in the 1760's and 70's. A strong advocate of predestination, Whitefield entered into a bitter dispute with his Methodist colleague, John Wesley over the issue, and the movement was split. , An English preacher, Wesley developed the practice of itinerant preaching: out of doors, traveling long distances on horseback. Wesley was a strong opponent of the Calvinism which was prevalent in America. , Elisha Williams (1744) An excerpt explaining what makes something a person's property, from a Boston minister who vigorously promoted liberty of conscience. (1745) Showing the centrality of Calvinism and the Westminster Confession in colonial higher education. , John Barnard (1746) A early warning against tyranny from one of Boston's ministers. , An account of an African-American taken captive by Native Americans (1747) , J. Burlamaqui, tr. Thomas Nugent (1748, tr. Thomas Nugent 1752) This was the textbook on political theory used at Harvard. It was this book that gave James Otis, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Joseph Warren, and John Adams their understanding of political science. carrying natural law into constitutional law. Commentary on the ideas of Grotius, Hobbes, Puffendorf, Barbeyrac, Locke, Clarke, and Hutchinson. This page includes discussion by Peter Korkman that "The Burlamaqui that reached British and American universities and was read for generations was Principles of Natural and Politic Law. Much of Burlamaqui's audience took the latter half of this work to be just as much his as the former... - - ... Others who had read their Pufendorf with care may have recognized many borrowed passages..." , Charles de Montesquieu, (1748, tr. Thomas Nugent 1752) Laid the foundations for the theory of republican government, particularly the concepts of the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial, a federal republic, representatives elected from political subdivisions, a bicameral legislature, and a system of checks and balances. Montesquieu was the most frequently cited political theorist during the founding of the U.S. , James Steuart. Recommended by Jefferson as one of the best books on political science. , Thomas Hutchinson, excerpt regarding coinage. , Frances Hutcheson (1750) , Jonathan Mayhew (1750) About this document, John Adams wrote, "It was read by everybody; celebrated by friends, and abused by enemies... It spread an universal alarm against the authority of Parliament. It excited a general and just apprehension, that bishops, and dioceses, and churches, and priests, and tithes, were to be imposed on us by Parliament." This sermon has been called the spark which ignited the American Revolution. This illustrates that the Revolution was not only about stamps and taxes but also about religious liberty. , October 1750 , December 1750 , William Livingston (1753) , Jean Jacques Rousseau (1754) Discussion on political inequality, its origins and implications. , Jean Jacques Rousseau (1755) Discussion on the economic principles affecting the politics of a society. , Samuel Johnson (1755) This was the standard dictionary of the late 18th century. , Samuel Davies and Gilbert Tennent (1754); an appeal to British citizens to support the seminary which became Princeton University. , Samuel Davies (1755). Davies, a Presbyterian preacher and president of the College at Princeton, here interprets the French and Indian war as a religious war. In this excerpt from a sermon preached in Virginia, Davies rouses the anti-Catholic sentiment of his hearers to rally them to arms against the French in the Ohio country. Jupiter Hammon was the first published African American poet. His first work, the broadside An Evening Thought (also referred to as "An Evening Prayer" and "An Evening's Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries"), was published in 1760. , Jean Jacques Rousseau (1762) Discussed legitimate government as the expression of the general will. . In a five-hour speech, in February of 1761, which was witnessed by a young John Adams, Otis argued that the writs were unconstitutional. He based his case on the rights guaranteed in English common law. This was probably the original argument for what we now refer to as "The Castle Doctrine", i.e., "A man's house is his castle". , Governor Glen (1761). Click the "text" button for the entire document. , Lord Kaims [Henry Homes] (1762), Highly recommended by Jefferson. Lawes_Divine_Morall_and_Martiall
Laws of Virginia (as compiled and published 1612 in London, England). Long title is For The Colony in Virginea Britannia. Lawes Divine, Morall and Martiall, &c.
1619: Laws enacted by the First General Assembly of Virginia Laws and Documents relating to religion in early Virginia, 1606-1660
Indentured Servants In The U.S. Indentured Servants In The U.S.
Works of Arminius
Canons of Dort
Charter of New England Mayflower Compact
Of State and General Assembly
Of Plymouth Plantation
Of Plymouth Plantation
Mourt's Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth
The Sin and Danger of Self-Love
Letters written by the Pilgrims Letter of an Indentured Servant Last Wills and Testaments of the Settlers at Plymouth
Good Newes from New England
An Appeal for War Against Spain Of the Law of War and Peace
Account of the Purchase of Manhattan
The First Part of the Institutes of the Laws of England , Sir Edward Coke (1628) -also-../coke/coke1st.htm The Petition of Right
Written by a Puritan leader of Parliament, this document was almost the only textbook for lawyers (e.g., Jefferson) during the American Colonial Period. Coke's influence over the minds of American politicians is inestimable. Clear traces between Coke and the U.S. Constitution are apparent in this work.

Protests of the House of Commons
Experiencia
The Salem Covenant Charter of Massachusetts Bay
The Library of John Winthrop's Father
of the Wessagussett Plantation, (1622/23) for the P lantation in New England (circa 1628). This document states clearly and forcefully that the motivations of the Puritans who came to New England @ 1630 were fundamentally religious. Adventurers who founded the Massachusetts Bay Commonwealth (1628-1630) Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of New England This comprehensive source lists the entire families who lived in New England in the early 17th century. A Short and True Description of New England, by the Rev. Francis Higginson (1629) The Cambridge Agreement among the leaders of the settlement (1629) History of the First Settlements as told by Capt. John Smith, Admiral of New England (1629) The Constitution of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay (1629) by John Winthrop (1630). A sermon preached aboard one of the ships carrying the Puritans to New England. Medulla Theologica (The Marrow of Theology), William Ames (1629). The Medulla was the principal required textbook in the Ivy League in the American Colonial Period. One cannot adequately grasp the intellectual climate of New England without understanding the concepts in this book. The following two sections on the Decrees of God and Predestination highlight the central peculiarities of Puritan theology. Ames was unequivocal in stating that God controls the universe and that humans do not "change" or "determine" God's behavior in any way. The Marrow of Theology, William Ames (1629) A Model of Christian Charity The Boston Covenant (1630) The Watertown Covenant (1630) The Humble Request of the Puritan emigrants (1630) Diary of Lion Gardiner The Oath of a Freeman, including a list of men who took this oath (1630-36) The Gardiner Family of Long Island - genealogy Advertisements to Planters of New England, by Capt. John Smith (1631) GARDINER, Lion -- American engineer The Indictment of Galileo (1633) The height of the conflict between religion and science. The Glorious Work in Maryland, Andrew White, S.J. (1633) The Constitution of Plymouth Colony (1636) The Salem Covenant (1636) The Dedham Covenant (1636) Massachusetts Bay Colony Winthrop's Testimony (1636), the Boston Governor's account of his Christian experience. John Cotton Condemns Democracy (1636) Transcript of The Trial of Anne Hutchinson Theocracy in Colonial New England (1636)

Revels in New Canaan, Thomas Morton (1637) Letter of Thomas Shephard to his son at Harvard College Description of Indians, Thomas Morton (1637) Contained in this body of work ( Essay Against the Power of the Church To Sit in Judgement on the Civil Magistracy, John Winthrop, Esq. (1637) A treatise indicating an early desire among the Puritans to keep church and state separate. Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Volume 14 Officers of the Commonwealth from 1630 to 1686. Sermons of Thomas Shephard , (later called Cambridge) from the original town Court records, 1632-1635, alphabetized. The National Covenant
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Montauk Trustee Corporation. The Memoir of Capt. Roger Clapp (1609 -1691) Events in Massachusetts Bay Colony to about the year 1640. The New Hampshire Compact
UNIQUELY AMERICAN DOCUMENT AS PROTOTYPE OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION The Exeter Covenant constitution.
-also- Description of New England Indians
-also- John Winthrop's Journal Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was the first written constitution in America...Whereas the Mayflower Compact was a general statement in favor of majority rule and government in the interest of the common welfare...."
The Wicked Capitalism of Robert Keayne
Laws Regulating the Price of Tobacco in Virginia
A Brief Discourse Concerning the Power of Peers
The Bay Psalm Book
New England's First Fruits The Pynchon Court Record
, and earliest Springfield Court records, 11 Jan 1640/41
Massachusetts Body of Liberties The Citizen Protestation Declaration to Justify Their Proceedings and Resolutions to Take Up Arms
(1642) Thomas Jefferson, in his Autobiography,
The True Constitution of a Particular Visible Church
Massachusetts Bay School Laws Harvard College Admission and Graduation Requirements The Establishment of the United Colonies of New England
(1643) The first attempt at a union of colonies, foreshadowing the United States. This document combines several colonies together for the primary purpose of national defense. This is the first document resembling a federal
Religio Medici
The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience A Plea for Religious Liberty The Solemn League and Covenant
The English Civil War: A people's history
English Civil War, first (1642-6)
Lex Rex , Samuel Rutherford (1644). This treatise systematized the Calvinistic political theories which had developed over the previous century. Rutherford was a colleague of John Locke's parents. Most of John Locke's
Second Treatise on Government is reflective of Lex Rex.
-and-
From Rutherford and other Commonwealthmen such as George Lawson, through Locke, these theorists provided the roots of the Declaration of Independence. This page provides the list of questions

Lex Rex Lex, Rex Lex, Rex, or The Law and the Prince; a Dispute for the Just Prerogative of King and People Areopagitica A Description of New Amsterdam by Isaac Joques On Liberty
Hypocricie Unmasked

The Character of A Puritan
The Westminster Confession of Faith
(1646) [ as a lead page to multiple html files
The Westminster Confession of Faith
(1646) [ as a single pdf file
The Westminster Catechism A Petition to Establish the Laws of England in America New England's Salamander Discovered The Old Deluder Act
-also-
The Simple Cobbler of Aggawamm in America , Nathaniel Ward (1647) [ free to download the entire pdf file, merely enter the visual code verification An Agreement of the People An Agreement of the People Blue Laws
The Original Indian Deed for East-Hampton The Cambridge Platform The Maryland Toleration Act King Charles I's Speech at His Trial The Execution of Charles I Stuart King Charles I's Speech Just Before His Execution
-and local page-
Of the Non-Compelling of Heathens An Agreement of the Free People of England The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates
Leviathan

( The Instrument of Government
Healing Question constitutionalism and fascism.
Salem Residents to the year 1651 The Gospel Covenant, Rev. Peter Bulkely (1651) The Commonwealth of Oceana Sumptuary Laws in New England (1651) Laws regarding what one may and may not wear. The Deed Assignment to the Inhabitants of East-Hampton The Flushing Remonstrance Goody Garlick Testimony in Witchcraft Trial
Forward to the Revision of the New Plymouth Laws A Treatise of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes; Showing That it Is Not Lawful For Any Power on Earth to Compel in Matters of Religion
The Declaration of Breda
The Restoration of Charles II to the Throne of England
Excerpts from the Navigation Acts
Institutes of Elenctic Theology Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 1
Institutes of Elenctic Theology
Narrative of the Pequot War
Narrative of the Pequot War The Status of Religion in Virginia
Court Records Dealing with Runaway Slaves in Virginia Virginia Fornication Laws
-and-
The Book of Common Prayer

The Anglican Catechism Connecticut Colony Charter Deposition of Phineas Pratt The Day of Doom and other Poems
Death Penalties in Maryland
Fines and Punishments in Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials in New York Excerpts From The Duke of York's Laws
A Description of Carolina
The Nicolls Patent Paradise Lost Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina Theologico-Political Treatise
Theologico-Political Treatise, Read on-line Theologico-Political Treatise, local copy
Groton in Witchcraft Times
De Jure Naturae
De Officio Hominis Et Civis Juxta Legem Naturalem Libri Duo

Works of John Bunyan
Barclay's Apology
First Thanksgiving Proclamation
Index to Samuel Willard . Samuel Willard's book
A Compleat Body of Divinity
The New England Primer Memoir...Dangers That Threaten Canada and the Means to Remedy Them Bacon's Declaration in the Name of the People
On Bacon's Rebellion
The Captivity of Mary Rowlandson Political Treatise
Anne Bradstreet's Poetry
Poems for Her Husband
Edward Taylor's Poems Habeas Corpus Act
Findings of the New England Synod Patriarcha
1679_The first Exclusion Parliament 1680_The second Exclusion Parliament
Proposals for the Carrying on the Negro's Christianity

Attempts by the Whig Party to keep James II off the throne- -; Frame of Government of Pennsylvania
Some Fruits of Solitude In Reflections And Maxims
Petition for a Democratic Government
Condemnation of the Massachussetts Bay Company
The Original Constitution of New York Causes of King Phillip's War
Instructions to Sir Edmund Andros Charter of East Hampton
Commercial Orders to Governor Andros Principia
On the Duty of Man and Citizen According to Natural Law James II Creates the Dominion of New England Parliament Invites William of Orange to England
Declaration of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal
Orders For Sending Sir Edmund Andros To England
The King's Oath
English Bill of Rights
Second Treatise on Government A Letter Concerning Toleration
The Reasonableness of Christianity
Toleration Act of William and Mary The London Confession of Faith
The Re-Establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland
Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions Discourses Concerning Government
Discourses Concerning Government Journal of George Fox
, Founder of the Quakers. It is noted this web-page guide was scanned and reformatted from the Rufus Jones Edition of Autobiography of George Fox
Complete Verbatim Transcripts of the Legal Documents of the Salem Witchcraft Outbreak of 1692
Documents Concerning The Salem Witch Crisis 17th Century New England The Crucible, Fact and Fiction

as part of
The Confession of Anne Foster at Salem Wonders of the Invisible World
Well-known relevant work of art - Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits
The Character of a Good Ruler
Penn's Plan for a Union Judge Samuel Sewall Repents His Participation in the Salem Witch Trials
The Story of Squanto
The Execution of Hugh Stone An Account of West Jersey and Pennsylvania , Gabriel Thomas (1698)

A Never Before in History: America's Inspired Birth
Eighteenth Century Sources Which Profoundly Impacted American History
One Hundred Documents Pertaining to Africans and Slavery in America Massive collection of primary sources regarding slavery in America. An even larger resource has been developed at Black History: Chronological Topics The Selling of Joseph A Memorial Representing the Present State of Religion on the Continent of North America King William Addresses Parliament on the French Question A Christian At His Calling
Magnalia Christi Americana
Robert Beverley on Bacon's Rebellion_Context Comments to aid perspective
Robert Beverley on Bacon's Rebellion_Full text Robert Beverley on Bacon's Rebellion, 1704
Nice 'modernization' based on the original document. The lead page includes more useful commentary - - (History repeats itself â€" compare the grievances cited in this commentary to our current 2011 economic and political conditions) - - Bacon's Rebellion appears at first sight to be a simple uprising of backwoods farmers against the ruling class of rich planters in Virginia, and indeed, the author of this account labels it a "civil war," but it was more layered than that. The leaders of the rebellion, primarily Nathaniel Bacon, were well-to-do men themselves who were excluded from the powered elite led by Governor William Berkeley (among them Robert Beverley, the father of the author of this account). In addition, they were excluded from the lucrative Indian trade monopolized by Berkeley's friends. Using the very real grievances of the common farmers - - falling tobacco profits, rising taxes, reduced opportunities to buy their own farms, harsh shipping regulations imposed by England, and finally, the outbreak of war between the backwoods farmers and the Susquehannock Indians (with whom Berkeley wanted to maintain trade)
Robert Beverley on Bacon's Rebellion, 1704, various aspects-; Money and Trade Considered With a Proposal for Supplying the Nation with Money Slavery and the Law in Virginia The Repentance of a Salem Witchcraft Accuser Philosophical Commentary William Byrd's Diary
William Byrd's Diary
Theopolis Americana ("God's City: America")
Awakening Truths Tending to Conversion
About the Duties of Husbands and Wives
Curriculum of the Boston Latin Grammar School The History of the Common Law of England
Documents Concerning the Jacobite Rebellion
The North Carolina Biennal Act Vindication of the Government of New England Churches
The Angel of Bethesda
Selections from Cato's Letters
Constitution of the Iroquois Confederacy Statutes of the College of William and Mary
Massachusetts House of Representatives on the Governor's Salary
Governor Burnet of Massachusetts on the Governor's Salary
The Story of Venture Smith Plain Reasons for Presbyterians Dissenting
Dissertation Upon Parties
Founding Vision for Georgia
Negotiations Regarding the Settlement of the Georgia Colony
Transcript of the Trial of Peter Zenger_local copy Trial of Peter Zenger_intro
interesting comment - - " English law at the time, which was designed to protect the government from critical elements, dictated that truth was not a defense to libel. The jury, however, exonerated Zenger thereby establishing an ongoing central tenet to defamation law: that truth is an absolute defense. This decision proved to not only redefine the law of libel and slander but also to lay the foundation for the freedom of the press that we enjoy today
Trial of Peter Zenger_full text
Letters on the Study and Use of History
On Patriotism Governor Gabriel Johnston's request to repeal the Biennal act Disposition of the North Carolina Biennal Act The Idea of a Patriot King
Discourse on the Five Points_local copy
[Of Calvinism], Daniel Whitby. The text which incited Jonathan Edwards to write his most important book, The Freedom of the Will.
Of Efficacious Grace_intro , John Gill (1738) Defense of Calvinism by a celebrated English Calvinist. This work is found in Part II, Chapter 4, of
The Cause of God and Truth , go here for =
index page
Intentions of the SPG (Society for the Propagation of the Gospel) The True Scripture-Doctrine Concerning Some Important Points of the Christian Faith The Works Of Jonathan Edwards Sermons of George Whitefield The Works of John Wesley Letters of John Wesley The Essential Rights and Liberties of Protestants
Regulations at Yale College
The Presence of Great God in the Assembly of Political Rulers
Narrative of the Deliverance of Briton Hammond
The Principles of Natural Law
The Principles of Politic Law
, J. Burlamaqui, tr. Thomas Nugent (1748, tr. Thomas Nugent 1752) Sequel to The Principles of Natural Law
The Spirit of Laws
An Inquiry into the Principles of Political Economy
History of Massachusetts Bay
Remarks on the Fable of the Bees
A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers Petition to Parliament: Reasons for Making Bar, as well as Pig or Sow-iron Petition to Parliament: Reason Against a General Prohibition of the Iron Manufacture in Plantations Memoir on the English Aggression
Memoir on the French Colonies in North America
Adams, Franklin, and Madison: Accounts of Their Original Plans to be Christian Clergymen
Of Party Divisions
A Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
A Discourse on Political Economy
Dictionary The Value and Purpose of Princeton College
Religion and Patriotism the Constituents of a Good Soldier
Military Documents of the French and Indian War Primary Sources Pertaining to the French and Indian War Jupiter Hammon
The Social Contract
The Curse of Cowardice
James Otis, Jr. was one of the earliest American patriots.
Otis was a flame of fire
The Role of the Indians in the Rivalry Between France, Spain, and England
Elements of Criticism Treaty of Paris (1763) Ended the French and Indian War and gave the English control of all the land east of the Mississippi River.

Acts of Parliament concerning the American Colonies
, James Otis (1764) (1765) Considered the book that "lost the colonies" for England. This text delineates the legal principles of common law which ensure the fundamental rights of Englishmen. Blackstone was quoted by the colonists twice as often as they quoted Locke. William Blackstone (1765). Showing the common understanding that the integrity of the judicial system depends upon the participants' belief in God. William Blackstone (1765) , William Blackstone (1765) , Daniel Dulany, October 1765 , Soame Jenyns (1765) , October 19, 1765 (1765) Developed the concept that people could not legitimately be taxed except by their elected representatives. , January 14, 1766 , Cesare Beccaria (1766) Set out rights of the accused in criminal proceedings. Argues for crime prevention over punishment, and against the death penalty and torture. , Adam Ferguson , Gottlieb Mittelberger , Daniel Shute; Delivered in Boston, Massachusetts-Bay, 26 May 1768. Chapter One. , The Boston Gazette, 12 March 1770 , 5 March, 1770 , 13 March 1770 , After the Bible and the Catechism, this was the third most commonly used book in colonial New England.

The Royal Proclamation of 1763 Forbid colonists from crossing the Appalachians.

The Currency Act, 1764

The Sugar Act, 1764

The Quartering Act, 1765

The Stamp Act, 1765 Precipitated the "Stamp Act Crisis" which fomented rebellion throughout the colonies

The Declaratory Act, 1766 The English Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, but couldn't leave well enough alone, and adopted this statement of parliamentary supremacy over the British colonies.

The Townshend Act, 1767

The Tea Act, 1773

The Administration of Justice Act, 1774

The Boston Port Act, 1774

The Massachusetts Government Act, 1774

The Quebec Act, 1774

The Quartering Act, 1774

The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
Blackstone's Commentaries
Blackstone's Contents "Offenses Against God and Religion,"
"Offenses Against the Public Peace"
"On Husband And Wife"
Considerations
The Objections to the Taxation Consider'd
The Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress
The Declaration of Rights of the Stamp Act Congress
William Pitt's Speech on the Stamp Act
Examination of Benjamin Franklin in the House of Commons On Crimes and Punishments
On the History of Civil Society
John Dickinson's Letter 2, from Letters from a Farmer John Dickinson's Letter 4, from Letters from a Farmer On the Misfortune of Indentured Servants
An Election Sermon
Charter of Dartmouth College Virginia Nonimportation Resolutions Excerpts From Mary Cooper's Diary Daniel Boone's Journal
Anna Bergen Rapelje's Full Manuscript The Boston Massacre
Anonymous Account of the Boston Massacre
Captain Thomas Preston's account of the Boston Massacre
The Hymnbook of Isaac Watts
The Rights of the Colonists

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colonial america american history documents texts primary sources america united states colonies colonists library

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Primary Source Documents Pertaining to Early American History An invaluable collection of historical works which contributed to the formation of American politics, culture, and ideals The following is a massive collection of the literature and documents which were most relevant to the colonists' lives in America.

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Need a great quote on something from Franklin, Washington, Adams, Hamilton, or Madison? This is your one-stop-shop. The papers are all searchable, so you can get right to the quote about slavery or uncomfortable lodging.

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This collection is absolutely incredible. I has digitized wills and inventories from the seventeenth and eighteenth century, newspapers, ledgers, and archaeological reports. Everything they've done has also been transcribed so it is easy to work with (you don't have to spend your time trying to decipher old hand writing and unusual spelling!

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Online Resources | The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site

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Colonial Williamsburg - Experience life in the 18th century at America's largest outdoor history museum.

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CRDL is famous for its news footage of civil rights activism, but its new, digitized archive of the newspaper Southern School News is, hands down, my (Dr. Matkin-Rawn) favorite new digitized source. Southern School News is an amazing resource for telling the stories of the African American students who desegregated schools across the South, and the communities that supported and defied them.

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Some content (or its descriptions) found on this site may be harmful and difficult to view. These materials may be graphic or reflect biases. In some cases, they may conflict with strongly held cultural values, beliefs or restrictions. We provide access to these materials to preserve the historical record, but we do not endorse the attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors found within them. Read more

The Digital Library of Georgia is part of the GALILEO Initiative and located at The University of Georgia Libraries
© 2023 Digital Library of Georgia

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The Civil Rights Digital Library is a GALILEO initiative based at the University of Georgia Libraries that collaborates with Georgia's Libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions of education and culture to provide access to key information resources on Georgia history, culture, and life.

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Historic Mexican and Mexican American Press 

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Historic Mexican and Mexican American Press 

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The University of Arizona's digital, searchable collection of Mexican and Mexican American newspapers and journals published in Tucson, El Paso, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sonora, Mexico from the mid-1800s to the 1970s.

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Historic Mexican & Mexican American Press: A Digital Collection of the UA Libraries

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A digital collection which documents and showcases historic Mexican and Mexican American publications published in Tucson, El Paso, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sonora, Mexico from the mid-1800s to the 1970s, with special emphasis on the work of women writers, editors, and publishers.

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Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians

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Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians

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Charlotte Bronte's childhood writings, an early draft of The Importance of Being Ernest, even a lock of Shelley's hair: the British Library has created a relative small (1,200 or so items) but popular collection of digitized Victoriana.

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Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians | The British Library

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Discover 1,200 Romantic and Victorian collection items, 167 articles, 25 films, 30 teachers' notes and more. Discovering Literature has been supported since its inception by Dr Naim Dangoor CBE, Dangoor Education.

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Searcheable database of over 800,000 items from the New York Public Library Collections. NYPL strengths include theater history, LGBT activism, and, of course, the history of New York City.

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Explore 865,811 items digitized from The New York Public Library's collections.

This site is a living database with new materials added every day, featuring prints, photographs, maps, manuscripts, streaming video, and more.

Our collections include some content that may be harmful or difficult to view. Learn more

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Explore hundreds of thousands of digital items from The New York Public Library.

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An incredibly rich collection of digitized (and searchable) books, correspondence, and first-person accounts shedding light on the history of the U.S. South from colonial times through the early 20th century.

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The University Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sponsors Documenting the American South, and the texts and materials come primarily from its southern holdings. The UNC University Library is committed to the long-term availability of these collections and their online records. An editorial board guides development of this digital library.

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A selection of 410 recorded oral history interviews chronicling African-American life during the age of legal segregation in the American South, from the 1890s to the 1950s.

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A selection of 410 recorded oral history interviews chronicling African-American life during the age of legal segregation in the American South, from the 1890s to the 1950s.

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Between 1936 and 1938, the Federal Writers Project, a division of the Works Progress Administration, recorded over 2,000 interviews with former slaves. The Library Congress has an excellent introduction to their digitized collection of these interviews. Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org) also has the complete interviews digitized by volume and state.

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Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938 contains more than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves. These narratives were collected in the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP) of the Works Progress Administration, later renamed Work Projects Administration (WPA). At the conclusion of the Slave Narrative project, a set of edited transcripts was assembled and microfilmed in 1941 as the seventeen-volume Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves. In 2000-2001, with major support from the Citigroup Foundation, the Library digitized the narratives from the microfilm edition and scanned from the originals 500 photographs, including more than 200 that had never been microfilmed or made publicly available. This online collection is a joint presentation of the Manuscript and Prints and Photographs divisions of the Library of Congress.

The Volumes

The published volumes containing edited slave narratives are arranged alphabetically by the state in which the interviews took place and thereunder by the surname of the informant. Administrative files for the project are bound at the beginning of Volume 1. These files detail the instructions and other information supplied to field workers as well as subjects of concern to state directors of the Federal Writers' Project.

Vol. 1

Vol. 2, Arkansas

Vol. 4, Georgia

Vol. 11, North Carolina

Vol. 14, South Carolina

Vol. 16, Texas

Historical Overview

In the Depression years between 1936 and 1938, the WPA Federal Writers' Project (FWP) sent out-of-work writers in seventeen states to interview ordinary people in order to write down their life stories. Initially, only four states involved in the project (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia) focused on collecting the stories of people who had once been held in slavery. John A. Lomax, the National Advisor on Folklore and Folkways for the FWP (and the curator of the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress), was extremely interested in the ex-slave material he received from these states. In 1937 he directed the remaining states involved in the project to carry out interviews with former slaves as well. Federal field workers were given instructions on what kinds of questions to ask their informants and how to capture their dialects, the result of which may sometimes be offensive to today's readers (see A Note on the Language of the Narratives). The field workers often visited the people they interviewed twice in order to gather as many recollections as possible. Sometimes they took photographs of informants and their houses. The interviewers then turned the narratives over to their state's FWP director for editing and eventual transfer to Washington, D.C. The administrative files accompanying the narratives detail the information supplied to field workers as well as subjects of concern to state directors of the FWP. For more information about the interviewers, the people interviewed, and the processes of collection and compilation, see Norman Yetman's essay which accompanies this online collection.

In 1939, the FWP lost its funding, and the states were ordered to send whatever manuscripts they had collected to Washington. Once most of the materials had arrived at the Library of Congress, Benjamin A. Botkin, the folklore editor of the FWP who later became head of the Archive of Folk Culture at the Library of Congress, undertook the remaining editing and indexing of the narratives and selected the photographs for inclusion. As noted above, he organized the narratives by state, and then alphabetically by name of informant within each state, collecting them in 1941 into seventeen bound volumes in thirty-three parts under the title Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves (Washington, D.C., 1941). The multivolume set and other project files, including some earlier unbound annotated versions of the narratives, are housed in the Manuscript Division and described in the finding aid for the records of the WPA.

Other records relating to the ex-slave project are among the FWP files at the National Archives and Records Administration (Record Group 69.5.5) and are described in the Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States, Vol. I. (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995). Volumes 2-17 of The American Slave: A Composite Autobiography, edited by George P. Rawick and others (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1972-79), present these narratives with a slightly different organization; the later volumes of Rawick's series also include ex-slave interviews housed in other archives. Anthologies containing selections from the Library of Congress collection include the Federal Writers' Project's Lay My Burden Down: A Folk History of Slavery, edited by B. A. Botkin (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1945) and Voices from Slavery (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970), edited by Norman R. Yetman, author of An Introduction to the WPA Slave Narratives under the Articles and Essays tab. For additional works using these narratives as well as other slave narratives, please see the list of Related Resources.

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About this Collection - Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938

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Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938 contains more than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves. These narratives were collected in the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP) of the Works Progress Administration, later renamed Work Projects Administration (WPA).