Unit I - Origins Of Government
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Transcript of Unit I - Origins Of Government
THE NATURE OF POWER, POLITICS AND YOU
Citizenship Test
The New York Times and CBS News Poll…
How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right: just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?”
5% (1 person in 20) responded “just about always”
4% responded “most of the time”
87% responded “only some of the time”
4% responded never
How can you link this poll to why it is important to study our government?
Big Idea
Throughout our history, Americans have tended to be distrustful of power, government, and politics. Nonetheless, we look to our government to provide goods and services that we all want and need.
UNIT I ORIGINS OF
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Origins of American Government: A customized government
Ancient Greece and Rome Roots
Direct democracy: citizens make public decisions directly
Representative democracy: power is exercised by elected leaders who work in the interests of the people
““I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all”
Geographic Distribution of Power
Centralized State Unitary Government
Geographic Distribution of Power
Central StateConfederate Government
Geographic Distribution of Power
Central State FederalGovernment
Essential questions to consider…
How did colonial American history lead to the development of American political ideals about the role and structure of government?
How did the ideas of government from Great Britain impact the establishment of our government?
Exploring 3 Types of Government…
Ordered Government
o Orderly regulation of relationshipsWhat does this mean?
o Created local governments similar to those in England Present Day Examples?
Counties, townships, sheriff, justice of the peace, grand jury…
Limited Government
o Government is not all powerful
o Cannot take away natural rights
What does this mean? Individuals have certain rights that the government
cannot take away.
Representative Government
o Government should serve the will of the people
o People have a VOICE!!
What does this mean?
“Government of, by, and for the people”
Where did the colonists get these basic
concepts of government???
English history provides the
key…
Warm-up:An Interesting Dilemma…
One morning, Ms. Brown woke up with no voice. Obviously, she could not teach that day. She called the automated system that finds substitute teachers, punched in the correct numbers, and left a message. This machine is meant to find a substitute, but a lightning bolt hits the building where the machine is located, and a substitute is never found. At 7:25 am, the 1st block bell rings and, after some time, no one comes to teach Ms. Brown’s class…
Imagine you were in that class…
1. If you were to make a suggestion to your classmates about a course of action, what would it be?
2. Who, or how many of you, would make a decision as to what to do?
Questions to Consider…
How would humans be without any external government?
Would we be kind and generous, or cruel and self serving?
Does anyone have the right to govern another?
How are governments created?
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHERS
State of Nature & Social Contract Theory
English Philosopher:Thomas Hobbes
State of Nature: early humans lived in unbridled freedom, in which no government existed and there was no superior power.
Believed life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”.
Believed people were too selfish to govern themselves – we NEED government to control and protect.
English Philosopher:John Locke
Ideas helped lay foundations for democratic government
Thomas Jefferson called the DOI – “Pure Locke”
Believed people were innately good, and formed governments to protect their rights and freedoms.
John Locke vs. Thomas Hobbes
John Locke Thomas Hobbes
1. Which philosopher is correct in his understanding of human nature?
2. Which philosopher is correct in his understanding of Government?
With which theory do you agree more? Why?
MAJOR POLITICAL THEORIES
Political Theories
Force Theorysmall group forced all to submit to person and/or
group’s rule
Evolutionary Theory developed naturally out of the evolution of the family
Divine Rightheld that God created the state, and God had given
those of royal birth “divine right” to rule
Social Contractargues that state arose out
of a voluntary act of free people. State exists only to serve the will of the people
Social Contract Theory
Theory through which Thomas Jefferson justified colonial independence .
Assume people live in a state of nature (no government) and are willing to give up some of their freedom and liberty to maintain order .
Recall the three types of government from Day 1.
For each type of government draw a picture that would help you identify its meaning.
Be prepared to share!
Focus Activity
Day 3
Please read the Locke and Jefferson article
Underline words you do not understand
Answer the two [2] questions for discussion and be prepared to share your responses with the class
Reading Activity: A close-up on primary sources
In the 1770s, a small group of citizens, known as the Founding Fathers, decided that they should rule the country and overthrow the government…
• We will look at the actual document that got this group into so much trouble with the King of England…THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE!
1. Thomas Jefferson was the primary author
2. Reflects two main ideas:
1. Natural Rights Philosophy – we are all equal and have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
2. Social Contract Theory – government arises from agreement of the people
People are willing to give up individuals rights for a government to protest their natural rights .
Big Ideas in the DOI
Follow along in your mini booklet as you listen to the celebrity reading of the DOI. Underline ideas that reflect natural rights and social contract theory (“Pure Locke”).
Video Viewing Activity
FYIOn July 4th, 1776, the Congress voted to accept the DOI. This is why we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.
DOI in 2009 Lingo
What might the consequences of a weak government be?
Journal Question…
NOTABLE AMERICAN DOCUMENTS…
Vocabulary to be familiar with …
Confederation: an association of states that delegates power to a central government
Ratification: formal approval
Central StateConfederate Government
Notable American Documents
Articles of Confederation
First government of the United States
Replaced by the Constitution because Constitution provided a much stronger national government
The Articles of Confederation had many weaknesses….
DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION
Constitutional Convention
Met in Philadelphia in 1787
Composed of some of the greatest thinkers, educators, statesmen, and politicians of the day
These men were collectively known as “The Framers”
Purpose of the Convention
Initial purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation .
Delegates quickly realized they were meeting to
create a new government (with 3 branches!)
Several plans were proposed to correct the weaknesses of the AOC…
a Bundle of Compromise…
Major similarities between the 2 plans:
1. Three branches of government2. Congress retains powers granted
under AOC3. Executive chosen by Congress
ISSUE OF REPRESENTATIONVirginia Plan v. New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan “Large State Plan”
Strong central gov’t
L: Bicameral Congress Representation based on population
E: “President” Chosen by Congress
J: 1+ supreme courts with lower courts Chosen by Congress
New Jersey Plan“Small State Plan”
Strong state government
L: Unicameral Congress Each state would have = representation Expand power to tax & regulate trade
E: Two-person presidency Chosen by Congress; able to be removed
J: Single Supreme Court Chosen by Executive
Your Task
Create a billboard advertisement detailing thefeatures of one of the plans – NJ or VA - the choice is yours!
GOAL: “sell” your plan to the people – persuade them to choose your plan!!!
Use catchy phrases/slogans and be sure to include the historical features of your plan (VA or NJ).
At the end of the period, we will vote on the most persuasive and appealing billboard – this group will receive extra credit on the Unit Assessment!!!
Survival Simulation Game…
Closing Activity
- Complete the graphic organizer
A Bundle of Compromise
Big Idea: The main disagreement was over small points,
not the fundamental questions. Nearly all delegates had agreed that a new national government had to be created (Federal Government), but it needed the powers
necessary to deal with the nation’s problems.
Though the final draft was created after much debate, it had to be ratified (approved) by 9 of the 13 colonies …
and this would be another difficult task.
FIGHT FOR RATIFICATION
complete the graphic organizer …
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalists - Favored Constitution
- Believed Constitution was strong enough to solve country’s problems
- Supported a Federal Government
- Led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
Anti-Federalists - Opposed Constitution
- Believed Constitution was too strong
- Wanted a Bill of Rights added to protect individual freedoms
- Supported a Confederate Government
- Led by Patrick Henry and John Hancock
Your Turn…
Working with one partner, you will create an advertisement to support either the Federalists, or the Anti-Federalists. You will use this Ad to help debate / argue the Fed v. Anti-Fed P.O.V.
Requirements:
Must convey an appropriate message
Must make use of historical content
Must FILL one blank sheet of paper
Must use color
NO STICK FIGURES 15 pts
Debating …
Pair up with an opposing group
Engage in a debate, making sound arguments in support of your position (using your Ad as supplemental evidence).
Propose rebuttal questions to the opposing team.
Closing Activity
A compromise was eventually reached. To get the Anti-Federalists to support the Constitution, the Federalists agreed that it would draft a Bill of Rights, listing the rights of citizens that were not to be violated by the federal government.
Today, the Bill of Rights has proved to be vitally important to the protection of basic rights of the American people… let’s take a look at this now
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
Daily Enduring Understanding
The United States was founded on a set of ideas and principles developed over many centuries. Those ideas helped give rise to a system of representative government based on the rule of law and a respect for individual rights and liberties.
Structure of Constitution
Constitution
Provides basic framework for U.S. government
Outlines basic principles, structure and processes
Three part document:
Preamble
Articles
Amendments
The U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1788, is the oldest written constitution still in use anywhere in the world.
F.Y.I.
Structure of Constitution
Preamble
Introduction to the Constitution
Lists ideas that the government should stand for and states purposes
We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Purpose of Government
Form a More Perfect Union
Establish Justice
Insure Domestic Tranquility
Provide for the Common Defense
Promote the General Welfare
Secure the Blessings of Liberty
Preamble Homework Discussion
Structure of Constitution
ArticlesMain body of the Constitution
Lay out basic structure of the national government
Further broken down into sections and clauses Article I: Legislative branch
Article II: Executive branch
Article III: Judicial branch
Articles IV: Relations among the states
Article V: Amendment process
Article VI: Payment of debts; Supremacy Clause; oaths of office
Article VII: Ratification
Structure of Constitution
Amendments
Formal changes made to the Constitution
Twenty-seven in total
First ten referred to as the Bill of Rights
Structure of U.S. Government
Three Branches of Government
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Executive Branch
PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
Six Principles of the Constitution
Principle - rule of action or conduct
Six principles established in the Constitution Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism
Constitutional Principle Explanation
Popular SovereigntyIdea that people are the source of all power held by the government
Limited Government Government possesses only the powers the people give it—it must obey the Constitution
Separation of Powers
Establishes three separate branches, that share the government’s power. These branches are the executive, the legislative and the judicial
Checks and Balances
Ensures that none of the three branches can become too powerful. Each branch has ways to limit the power of the other two (ex. President veto power)
Judicial Review
Power of the courts to decide what the Constitution means. The courts also have the power to declare a government action to be against the Constitution (unconstitutional).
Federalism Divides the power between the central government and the States
SIX PRINCIPLE SKITS
OBJECTIVE
Create & perform a skit that depicts a constitutional
principle … providing a way for your classmates to
remember the meaning come exam and final time.
EXPECTATIONS
- All group members are expected to work collaboratively to create the skit
- All group members must participate in the exhibition
Skits should be 2-3 minutes in length
Humor is appreciated!
See rubric for grading requirements
You are required to create and turn-in a script that will be
evaluated.
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
Daily Enduring Understanding
For more than 200 years, the Constitution has served as a blueprint for republican government and a guarantor of basic rights and freedoms for the American people. It has endured because of its flexibility and the strength of its underlying principles.
Warm-Up Activity
"The Constitution belongs to the living and not to the dead.“
- Thomas Jefferson
Considering the quote above, explain how the Constitution has endured for over 200 years.
In other words, what is Jefferson implying in this quote?
Checks and Balances HW Check
What you should be doing…
Get out a blank piece of paper
Divide your papers into three hot dog style columns
Label the first column “principle”, label the middle column “suggestion or kudos” and label the last column “how it will help me remember for the test”
As your classmates present, fill out these columns
This will be collected and evaluated as part of your “attention to other presentations” grade.
PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY
Admit Ticket
Principles of American Democracy
Notions of American Democracy
• Equality of All Persons
• Majority Rule, Minority Rights Protected
• Necessity of Compromise
•Individual Freedom
• Choose 2 of the 4 principles of democracy listed above. • Draw two circles on your piece of paper.• Create PINs that illustrate YOUR OWN representation of
each principle.Total of two pins will be created…
IdealsValues Goals
Symbols
What does it mean to be an American?