ObjectivesHow the outcome of the American Revolution impacted the creation of state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation and eventually the United States Constitution.
• How and to what extent debt accumulated during the American Revolution threatened the economic development of the new nation under the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. • How the structure, powers and authority of a new federal government under the Articles of Confederation led to political conflict and their eventual replacement by the U.S. Constitution. (Structure of government) • How the creation and implementation of the Articles of Confederation affected the distribution of power between the states and with the new national government. • How various opinions over the nature of republicanism impacted the debates of the Constitutional Convention and the ratification of the United States Constitution (e.g., James Madison’s notes on the Convention, the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, Federalist Papers, John Adams & Thomas Jefferson correspondence). • How, why, and to what extent executive, judicial and legislative decisions may have increased the power and authority of the federal government (e.g., the Connecticut Compromise, the Judiciary Act of 1789, Marbury v. Madison, the Louisiana Purchase, the Monroe Doctrine, the “Emancipation Proclamation” and the Compromise of 1877). (Structure of government, separation of powers with checks and balances, federalism) • How the founding fathers defined and directed the birth of a new republic under the United States Constitution (e.g., Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton and Report to Congress on the Subject of Manufactures and the correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams). (Inalienable rights, federalism) • How major features of the Constitution, such as federalism and the Bill of Rights, have helped to shape American society. (Federalism, individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights, individual responsibilities, equal justice under the law, due process, inalienable rights) • Reasons why the Constitution's overall design and specific features were intended to place limitations on both national and state governments. (Structure of government, federalism) • How and why the framers of the Constitution adopted a federal system in which power and responsibility are divided and shared between a national government, having certain nationwide responsibilities, and state governments having state and local responsibilities. (Structure of government, federalism) • Reasons why the Constitution's overall design and specific features were intended to place limitations on both national and state governments e.g., states cannot restrict interstate commerce. (Structure of government, separation of powers with checks and balances, federalism) • How the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the ratification of the United States Constitution, impacted the creation of political parties and the distribution of power between levels and institutions of government. (Structure of government, separation of powers with checks and balances, federalism) • How and why the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution. (Federalism, private property rights, individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights) • How, why, and to what extent executive, judicial and legislative decisions may have increased the power and authority of the federal government (e.g., the Connecticut Compromise, the Judiciary Act of 1789, Marbury v. Madison, the Louisiana Purchase, the Monroe Doctrine). (Structure of government, separation of powers with checks and balances, federalism, due process) • How the creation and implementation of the United States Constitution affected the distribution of power and authority between the states and with the new national government. (Structure of government, separation of powers with checks and balances, federalism) |
ResourcesShay's Rebellion Activity
Washington Post article to compare w/above Handouts Constitution DBQ Constitution guided reading part 1 Constitution guided reading part 2 Constitution crossword puzzle (online version) PDF for above Constitution Day ResourcesConstitution in current events (frequently updated -- excellent resource)
Founding Father Quiz Constitution Quiz Constitution Duel Are they watching you game? handout for above Life without Bill of Rights Game |
Key Terms
Montesqieu
Rosseau
separation of powers
Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Shay's Rebellion
Constitutional Convention
federal
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise
3/5 Compromise
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist Papers
checks and balances
federalism
Bill of Rights
Ratification Process
Judiciary Act of 1789
Marbury vs. Madison
Supremacy clause
Elastic Clause
Montesqieu
Rosseau
separation of powers
Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Shay's Rebellion
Constitutional Convention
federal
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise
3/5 Compromise
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist Papers
checks and balances
federalism
Bill of Rights
Ratification Process
Judiciary Act of 1789
Marbury vs. Madison
Supremacy clause
Elastic Clause