Ch. 8 EXTRA CREDIT
National Archives Virtual Tour
Name:
Per:
Use a computer with internet access to complete the following activities.
You will be taking a virtual tour of one of our nation’s most important
buildings, THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. Located in Washington D.C., the
National Archives houses our nation’s most important documents and much,
much, more. Let’s start the tour!
1. Go the following website: http://www.archives.gov/ .
2. Welcome to the National Archives. As you look to the left side of the page, > click on
Research our Records
3. Along the right side of the page, under Most Requested, click on the Declaration of
Independence.
a. Who wrote or drafted the Declaration of Independence, and when did he write it?
b. Where did the author get the ideas and philosophy of the Declaration?
4. Click on the picture of the Declaration. On the next page, scroll down to the bottom of the
page and click on Our National Treasure.
4. Click on the The People’s Vote and answer the following question.
*The Declaration was voted the most important document by the people, list the rest of the top 5
documents in our history according to the vote of the people:
1. Declaration of Independence
2. _______________________
3. _______________________
4. _______________________
5. _______________________
6. Use the back button on your browser to return to the National Treasure page. Click on the
What’s on the Back of the Declaration.
*What is actually written on the back of the Declaration?
7. Use the back button on your browser to return to the National Treasure page. This time click
on the Join the Signers of the Declaration link at the bottom of the page. Follow the
directions, sign your name and print it out to turn in as part of this assignment.
7. Enter the following address: http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ and click on the
Articles of Confederation. Scroll down under document and click on the Read more at Our
Documents... and answer the following questions (next page).
a. Who was the main writer of the Articles of Confederation?
b. What powers were given to the national government?
c. What powers were given to the states?
d. What replaced the Articles of Confederation?
8. Use your back button or enter http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ . This time click on
The Constitution. Scroll down under document and click on Read more at the Charters of
Freedom.. and answer the following questions
a. Where did the delegates meet to write the Constitution?
b. What were 3 chief points that were at issue when writing The Constitution?
9. Use your back button or enter http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ . This time click on
The Bill of Rights. Scroll down under document and click on Read more at the Charters of
Freedom, and answer the following questions:
a. Why did some delegates who wrote the Constitution demand a Bill of Rights?
b. How many amendments did Congress propose as the Bill of Rights?
c. Which two were rejected?
10. Enter this link http://videocast.nih.gov/sla/NARA/dsh/index.html and watch this video
history of the archives. List 5 brief facts you learned about the archives.
a.
b.
c.
d.