Unit
Unit 1: Foundation of American Self-Government
Guiding question
How does the structure of government influence the process of lawmaking and reflect the will of the people?
Guiding Question:
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How and why was the United States government formed?
Objectives:
- Students will examine the nature of Founding principles as fundamental truths that emerge from an understanding of human nature.
- Students will evaluate how individual actions and choices are an important part of self-governance and leads to the health of society as a whole.
- Students will explore the natural rights foundation that informed the debates at the Constitutional Convention.
- Students will examine the historical context for the Constitutional Convention and the major debates and decisions that emerged from the Convention.
- Students will evaluate whether or not the Constitution was enough to protect natural rights.
Teacher resource
Unit 1: Foundation of American Self-Government Inquiry Organizer
How and why was the United States government formed?
Lessons
How do civic virtues ensure a healthy civil society and constitutional republic?
What role does a constitution play in establishing a framework for governing a community, and how does it protect the rights and responsibilities of its members?
How did John Locke’s ideas influence the Founding principles in the Declaration of Independence?
How did the Articles of Confederation limit the effectiveness of the new government?
Were the Federalists or Anti-Federalists more convincing?
How do different political and economic systems shape the way societies make decisions and distribute power?
Unit resources
An interactive that helps students explore Founding Principles and Civic Virtues.
An interactive, device-based game that helps students explore how they can display Founding Principles and Civic Virtues in their everyday lives.
An activity to help students explore the words of John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu.
Excerpts of John Locke's "Two Treatises on Government" and Baron de Montesquieu's "On the Spirit of the Laws " and Comprehension Questions.
Scaffolded excerpts of The English Bill of Rights, John Locke's "Two Treatises on Government", and Baron de Montesquieu's "On the Spirit of the Laws ".
Activity to understand and explain the purpose of the Declaration of Independence.
An activity that explores the differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
An activity that explores the differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
An interactive that helps students explore the timeline of the Constitutional Convention.
An interactive that helps students explore the timeline of events between the years 1781-1787 under the Articles of Confederation.
Why did the Framers believe a large republic would create a stable and lasting government that protected against the violence of faction?
Why did the Framers believe a large republic would create a stable and lasting government that protected against the violence of faction?
Standards
Related content
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