Lesson
National Government, Crisis, and Civil Liberties
Guiding question
How do we balance the security of the nation with protections of individual liberties?
Founding Principles
Guiding Questions
- How do we balance the security of the nation with protections of individual liberties?
- How much power should the federal government have over an individual’s civil liberties?
Objectives
- Students will define civil liberties.
- Students will explain the limits of individual freedoms.
- Students will explain the original intention of the Bill of Rights.
- Students will analyze the balance that is needed in a federal republic between individual freedoms and the security of the country.
Materials
Educator Resources
- Handout B: A Proclamation Answer Key
- Handout D: Case Briefing Sheet Answer Key
- Handout G: The History of Civil Liberty Laws Answer Key
Student Handouts
- National Government, Crisis, and Civil Liberties Essay
- Handout A: Abraham Lincoln and Habeas Corpus
- Handout B: A Proclamation
- Handout C: Milligan and the Constitution
- Handout D: Case Briefing Sheet
- Handout E: The Ruling
- Handout F: Civil Liberty Laws
- Handout G: The History of Civil Liberty Laws Table
Lesson Components
When public safety and happiness are threatened, whether from external or internal sources, people are often willing to give up their liberties to allow for the government to protect them. Throughout history, for example, Congress has enacted laws restricting speech, press, association, and other personal liberties in an effort to better protect the nation during times of war.
Lesson plan
Key Terms
- Liberty
- Constitution
- federalism
- property
- habeas corpus
More Information
Following this activity it would be helpful for students to learn of other more recent examples of the President’s need to balance national security with individual freedoms. One example is Security, Liberty, and the USA PATRIOT Act.
Standards
Related materials
The balancing of liberty and security is difficult, particularly in times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both national and state governments across the country have exercised expansive powers to enact policies in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
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