Unit 2: Foundations of American Government
2a: What are the fundamental political principles that have
shaped government in the United
States?
representative government
Fundamental political principles
· Consent of the governed: The people are the source of any and all governmental power.
· Limited government: Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.
· Rule of law: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed.
· Democracy: In a democratic system of government, the people rule.
· Representative government: In a representative system of government, the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.
· Consent of the governed: The people are the source of any and all governmental power.
· Limited government: Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.
· Rule of law: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed.
· Democracy: In a democratic system of government, the people rule.
· Representative government: In a representative system of government, the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.
2b:
How does the Constitution of the United States of America reflect previous
documents, including the charters of the Virginia Company of London, the Virginia
Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of
Confederation, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?
American constitutional government is founded on concepts articulated in earlier documents, including the charters of the Virginia Company of London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
Charters of the Virginia Company of London
· The charters of the Virginia Company of London guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.
Virginia Declaration of Rights
· The Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Declaration of Independence
· The Declaration of Independence
– stated grievances against the king of Great Britain
– declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain
– affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
– stated grievances against the king of Great Britain
– declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain
– affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
The Articles of Confederation
· The Articles of Confederation
– established the first form of national government for the independent states
– maintained that major powers resided with individual states
- created weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws); led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America
– established the first form of national government for the independent states
– maintained that major powers resided with individual states
- created weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws); led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
· The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom stated freedom of religious beliefs and opinions.
Constitution of the United States and Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of Rights,
· established the structure of the United States government
· guaranteed equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected
· affirmed individual worth and dignity of all people
protected the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
· established the structure of the United States government
· guaranteed equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected
· affirmed individual worth and dignity of all people
protected the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2c: What are the purposes identified in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America?
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America expresses the reasons the constitution was written.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America begins, “We the People,” thereby establishing that the power of government comes from the people.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America begins, “We the People,” thereby establishing that the power of government comes from the people.
Purposes of United States Government
Online Resources:
Information about the U.S. Constitution:
http://www.history.com/topics/constitution
http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_index.htm
https://kidskonnect.com/history/us-constitution/
Information about the Declaration of Independence:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/government/declaration.htm
http://www.congressforkids.net/Independence_declaration_1.htm
Information about the Articles of Confederation:
http://www.history.com/topics/articles-of-confederation
http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/articles_of_confederation.php
http://www.congressforkids.net/Independence_articles.htm
Games for Review:
SOL 2a-b: http://www.quia.com/mc/381342.html
http://www.msroachesplace.com/CivicsA.swf
SOL 2c: http://www.msroachesplace.com/Preamblematch.swf
Information about the U.S. Constitution:
http://www.history.com/topics/constitution
http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_index.htm
https://kidskonnect.com/history/us-constitution/
Information about the Declaration of Independence:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/government/declaration.htm
http://www.congressforkids.net/Independence_declaration_1.htm
Information about the Articles of Confederation:
http://www.history.com/topics/articles-of-confederation
http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/articles_of_confederation.php
http://www.congressforkids.net/Independence_articles.htm
Games for Review:
SOL 2a-b: http://www.quia.com/mc/381342.html
http://www.msroachesplace.com/CivicsA.swf
SOL 2c: http://www.msroachesplace.com/Preamblematch.swf