Foundations and Principles of Government
Unit 2 Lessons
Unit 2 Exam Review Materials
- Principles of Democracy
- Roots of Democracy
- Articles of Confederation
- Drafting the Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- Checks and Balances
- Powers of Government
Unit 2 Exam Review Materials
Unit 2 Overview (Adapted from the MSDE Web Based Course)
Rationale or Purpose for Teaching:
The purpose of this unit is to provide students with knowledge about the foundations of government in the United States. Students begin by examining fundamental principles of government and law developed by leading European philosophers.
In addition, students will examine both the historical and the philosophical concepts and documents of a constitutional government. As part of the examination, students will analyze the fundamental principles of American government contained in the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, United States Constitution and the Maryland Constitution. Students will examine how the powers of government are divided and shared on the national and state levels. Students will also examine the flexibility of the Constitution of the United States and how it can be changed both formally and informally. Additionally, students will identify the importance of securing and protecting civil rights as exemplified in the Bill of Rights.
Essential Concepts:
Philosophical ideas and historic documents are important in the understanding of how the American government was formed and how such ideas influenced the writing of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The relationship of a limited government to political and economic freedom is important in a constitutional government. To be a productive citizen in our society, one must be able to understand and apply the principles of democracy and constitutionalism to his/her life. All governments address the relationship between liberty and authority. The United States Government derives its power from the consent of the governed to avoid tyranny and protect people’s rights.
Essential Questions:
Essential Vocabulary:
Rationale or Purpose for Teaching:
The purpose of this unit is to provide students with knowledge about the foundations of government in the United States. Students begin by examining fundamental principles of government and law developed by leading European philosophers.
In addition, students will examine both the historical and the philosophical concepts and documents of a constitutional government. As part of the examination, students will analyze the fundamental principles of American government contained in the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, United States Constitution and the Maryland Constitution. Students will examine how the powers of government are divided and shared on the national and state levels. Students will also examine the flexibility of the Constitution of the United States and how it can be changed both formally and informally. Additionally, students will identify the importance of securing and protecting civil rights as exemplified in the Bill of Rights.
Essential Concepts:
Philosophical ideas and historic documents are important in the understanding of how the American government was formed and how such ideas influenced the writing of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The relationship of a limited government to political and economic freedom is important in a constitutional government. To be a productive citizen in our society, one must be able to understand and apply the principles of democracy and constitutionalism to his/her life. All governments address the relationship between liberty and authority. The United States Government derives its power from the consent of the governed to avoid tyranny and protect people’s rights.
Essential Questions:
- How did the principles of government outlined by political philosophers (e.g. Hobbes, Montesquieu, Locke) influence the framers of the Constitution?
- How do the actions of the United States Government affect the rights and responsibilities of citizens?
- What is the significance of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Bill of Rights and how did they influence the development of the United States Constitution?
- What comparisons can be made between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution?
- How did the Bill of Rights affect the ratification process of the United States Constitution?
- What are the formal and informal methods of changing the Constitution (Interpretation, custom, tradition, executive actions, and acts of Congress)?
- How are the principles of government reflected in our founding documents?
- How are the powers of government divided and shared?
Essential Vocabulary:
