Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Constitutional Compromises/Crash Course Government and Politics

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

12

Overview

The United States didn't always have its current system of government. Actually, this is its second attempt. Craig will delve into the failures (and few successes) of the Articles of Confederation, tell you how delegates settled on a two-house system of representation, discuss the issues of slavery and population that have been embedded into our constitution, and how federalists and anti-federalist opposition provided the U.S. with a Bill of Rights.

    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

    SS10.USG.2

    Summarize the significance of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the Declaration of Independence, Shays’ Rebellion, and the Articles of Confederation of 1781 on the writing and ratification of the Constitution of the United States of 1787 and the Bill of Rights of 1791.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.USG.2

    Vocabulary

    • reactionary
    • ratification
    • liberalism (Western Civilization meaning)
    • Continental Congress
    • Articles of Confederation
    • American Revolution

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Basic chronology of the American Revolution.
    • Impact of key events in the American Revolution in respect to how they shaped the political goals and ideology of the Founding Fathers.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Place into chronological order key political events of the American Revolution.
    • Interpret primary documents from the American Revolution identifying how key concepts of these led to the formation of American government.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The different events of the American Revolution led to an evolution of the political goals of the Founding Fathers.
    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

    SS10.USG.3

    Analyze major features of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights for purposes, organization, functions, and principles, including rule of law, federalism, limited government, popular sovereignty, judicial review, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.USG.3

    Vocabulary

    • rule of law
    • federalism
    • limited government
    • popular sovereignty
    • judicial review
    • separation of powers
    • checks and balances
    • ratification
    • Anti-Federalist
    • confederation
    • amending
    • Federalist
    • article of the Constitution

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Key principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as their meaning.
    • Key arguments given by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
    • The Constitution is an evolving document through both formal and informal means.
    • The process by which an amendment can be added to the U.S. Constitution.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Outline the possible paths taken to ratify an amendment to the Constitution.
    • Interpret how constitutional principles are embedded in current and past issues in US history and politics.
    • Interpret primary documents from both Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
    • Analyze a given passage of the U.S. Constitution to identify how it relates to a key principle of American government.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Many key principles of the Constitution, including judicial review, federalism, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of law, and popular sovereignty, are embedded in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and that their meaning has been debated throughout U.S. history.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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