Lesson
Unit 6 Civics Connection: The Role of Government According to the Founders and the Progressives
Objectives:
- Students will analyze competing approaches related to the proper role and scope of government by analyzing primary sources from the Founding and Progressive Eras.
- Students will practice writing a comparative LEQ.
Materials
Lesson Components
A narrative that explains the differing viewpoints of the Founders and Progressives and shares a list of administrative agencies formed in the early 20th century.
Quotes from Founders and Progressives that help students categorize their contrasting views on purpose and structure of government.
Lesson plan
More Information
If this is the first time your students have considered constitutional principles, have them begin by focusing specifically on limited government, separation of powers, and consent. Use the Principles and Virtues Glossary included with this lesson as a point of departure.
Standards
Advanced Placement
- Topic 7.4 · The Progressives
- Theme · Politics and Power
- Learning Objective · Unit 7D
- Historical Development · 7.1.II.B
- Reasoning Skill · Developments and Processes
- Reasoning Skill · Sourcing and Situation
- Reasoning Skill · Source Claims and Evidence
- Reasoning Skill · Contextualization
- Reasoning Skill · Making Connections
- Reasoning Skill · Argumentation
- Reasoning Process · Comparison
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Related materials
The Framers of the U.S. Constitution knew that the new government they crafted must be more powerful and effective than the government under the Articles of Confederation. They studied history and human nature to create a government strong enough to promote the public good, but not so strong that it would become a threat to individual liberties.