Unit 2: The Constitution

Transcription

1 Unit 2: The Constitution Name Per Lesson 1: Lesson one has two main assignments. At the end of these assignments you will take a closed note quiz. After these lessons you will be expected to be able to: (one or more of these objectives may appear as a short answer question on the quiz) Critique the debates that occurred during the Constitutional Convention on the subjects of: o Representation o Slavery o Powers of the national government Thoroughly describe: o Virginia Plan o New Jersey Plan o Great Compromise o Three-Fifths Compromise Explain the concept of federalism. Standards in This Lesson 8.2 Students analyze the political principles underlying the U.S. Constitution and compare the enumerated and implied powers of the federal government 2.3 Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as shared power among institutions, divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states (later addressed by the addition of the Bill of Rights), and the status of American Indian nations under the commerce clause. 2.7 Describe the principles of federalism... 1

2 The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where delegates from 12 of the 13 states were present. The state of Rhode Island refused to send a delegate because it was afraid of losing its states' rights. Their original goal was to strengthen the Articles of Confederation after the threat of Shays Rebellion. However, the delegates worked for 4 months behind closed doors of the State House to draft a new document known later as the "Constitution." In Philadelphia, fifty-five delegates from twelve of the original thirteen colonies met to begin writing the Constitution of the United States. These delegates were selected by their states. They were educated, patriotic, and experienced men, ranging from the ages of 40 to 81. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate. Some men were landowners and some were lawyers or judges. All delegates held at least one public office. This group is sometimes called the "Founding Fathers." There were no women or minorities. Directions: Use this reading to answer the questions below. 1. The Constitutional Convention took place at the State House in, Pennsylvania. 2. The Constitution was drafted in months. 3. There were delegates to the Convention. 4. Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Convention, so only of the states were represented. 5. The original goal of the Convention was to the Articles of. 6. Today we call this group of people our. Read the class handout titled The Constitutional Convention: An Overview and answer the questions below. 7. List the goals of the Founding Fathers 8. Explain the roles of George Washington and James Madison 9. Describe the process of writing the Constitution 2

3 10. Why was there division between the states with large populations and smaller populations? 11. How did Roger Sherman propose to settle these disputes? What do we call his plan? 12. Explain the process of the signing of the Constitution. 13. What was the plan after the Convention? How would the Constitution become the law of the land? In order to create a Constitution that was agreeable to all the delegates the Founding Fathers had to debate several issues: how apportion representation in Congress, how to deal with the issue of slavery, and how much power the federal government should have. Add notes to this assignment as your teacher lectures to the class. 3

4 Round 1 Representation: The delegates had decided to include a legislative branch of government. This branch would be responsible for making the laws of the country. Some of the states had larger population and some of the states had smaller populations. The delegates had to decide how much representation each state would get in this branch (how many people each state got to send to the legislative branch to help make laws. Representation Virginia Plan (Large States) New Jersey Plan (Small States) Representation Organization of Government Organization of Government Powers of Government Powers of Government President President 4

5 Round 2 Slavery: Another issue for debate was how to handle the issue of slavery. Should it be allowed? Limited? If allowed should the slaves count as a part of the population? Free States Slaves States 5

6 Round 3 Powers of Government: Some of the most intense disagreements came over the powers of the new national government. Many of the delegates were still afraid of creating another situation like they had with Great Britain. Other delegates pointed out the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. Federalists Anti-Federalists 6

7 Lesson 2: Lesson two has two main assignments. At the end of these assignments you will take a closed note quiz. After these lessons you will be expected to be able to: (one or more of these objectives may appear as a short answer question on the quiz) Describe the philosophy of the Constitution regarding the organization of government and the powers of each branch. o Legislative Branch o Executive Branch o Judicial Branch Explain the principles of the Constitution Understanding the organization and structure of the Constitution. Standards in This Lesson 2.6 Enumerate the powers of government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights. 2.7 Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights. 7

8 How the Government Works The Founding Fathers created a national government that had three branches of government. These three branches would be responsible for running the country and keeping the citizens safe. The three branches are called: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Turn to the back of the previous page. Turn the page sideways and divide the page into a left and a right half. Title the left hand side Legislative Branch and the right hand side Executive Branch. Turn to the back of this page and divide the page in half again. Title the left side Judicial Branch and the right side Structure and Organization of Constitution. The Legislative Branch: Read p of your textbook and complete following tasks. 1. What is the main job/role of the Legislative Branch? 2. Name the two houses (or bodies) that make up this branch. 3. What is the name we give to this branch when we put both houses together? 4. Sketch two houses. Title one house Senate and the other House of Representatives. Add notes in each sketch describing each body of Congress. 5. How is a bill different from a law. 6. List the main steps in how a bill becomes a law. 7. Define veto and override. The Executive Branch: Read p of your textbook and complete following tasks. 1. What are the main jobs/responsibilities of the Executive Branch? 2. List the members of this branch. 3. Why are the powers of the President sometimes confusing? 4. Sketch a policeman s shield. Inside the shield write notes that answer these questions: a. Length of term for president b. Name of system that elects president c. List some of the powers of the president 8

9 The Judicial Branch: Read p of your textbook and complete following tasks. 1. What is the job of the federal district courts? 2. How is the role of the Courts of Appeal different from the district courts? 3. What is the highest court in the U.S. called? 4. List two of this court s responsibilities. 5. Draw an old-fashioned scale like the one in the margin. Around the sketch write words that describe how the Supreme Court works. 6. Explain what the Supreme Court s most important power is. The Organization and Structure of the Constitution: Read p and complete the following tasks. 1. List the main parts of the Constitution. 2. What does the Preamble do? 3. Sketch a brick wall. Your wall must have at list 6 large bricks. In each brick list a goal of the Preamble. Make sure you know what these mean! 4. What is the main body of the Constitution called? How many of these are there? 5. What areas do the first three articles cover? Be specific. 6. What is an amendment? 7. How many amendments have been made to the Constitution? 8. What are the first ten amendments called? Think In Pictures! Inside each shape, draw a symbol or sketch that illustrates the main job of each of three branches of government. Label the shape with the name of the branch being depicted. 9

10 People = power Government = people Directions: Read pp of your textbook. List the principles in the first row of bubbles. Add a second layer of bubbles to each principle. Use those bubbles to describe that principle. One has been started for you. Popular Sovereignty 7 Principles of the Constitution 10

11 Lesson 3: Lesson three has three main assignments. At the end of these assignments you will take a closed note quiz. After these lessons you will be expected to be able to: (one or more of these objectives may appear as a short answer question on the quiz) Explain the purpose and significance of the Federalist Papers. Describe the rolls and viewpoints of various Founding Fathers. o James Madison o Gouverneur Morris o George Washington o James Wilson o Roger Sherman Explain the purpose and freedoms granted in the Bill of Rights Standards in This Lesson 2.4 Describe the Federalist Papers (authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay) and the role of such leaders as Madison, George Washington, Roger Sherman, Gouverneur Morris, and James Wilson in the writing and ratification of the Constitution. 2.6 Enumerate the powers of government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights. 11

12 There were 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 states working to create the Constitution. All of their contributions were significant. In this assignment you are going to read placards about 5 of these delegates. After reading about each person you are to design a facebook page for each of them. You must: Record their beliefs on each of the 3 issues Record their name and the state they represent Create an original status update Add a minimum of 6 posts on each wall. At least 3 of these posts must be from other Founding Fathers. Status 12

13 Status Status 13

14 Status Status 14

15 The Federalist Paper Read the class handout and answer the following questions. How would the Constitution become law? Explain the concerns of some citizens What were Hamilton s views and his role? How did Madison and Jay help? How did these essays impact ratification? What do we call these essays and what is their legacy? 15

16 Fast Forward... The year is The world as you know it has been completely destroyed by alien invaders. You and a group of survivors have just won a terrifying battle against the aliens, who have now left the planet. Now you re free, but everyone is still afraid because there is nothing on paper to guarantee people will have rights.. The leaders of the group have decided to create the Pamphlet of Protections. The Pamphlet will define what rights people will have. The following are rights that some of the leaders think should be included in the Pamphlet of Protections. They want your input. Mark your top 10 choices below: Rewind... The year is The world as Americans knew it has recently been turned upside down by the end of the Revolutionary War a war that gave them their freedom from England. Now American colonists will no longer have to submit to an unfair king who wanted to keep Americans from having rights of their own. America is independent, but there is nothing on paper to guarantee the new government will give people the rights and freedoms they want. A group of leaders decides to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution to define what rights people will have. 16

17 Bill of Rights 1) Follow along the teacher s PowerPoint to help define some of the key words. 2) Compare the amendments below with the Pamphlet of Protects on the previous page. Write in the Pamphlet number next to the real amendment from the Bill of Rights 17

18 Bill of Rights Continued 18

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