Unit Basics:
- Learning Goal: Students will understand how the U.S. Constitution structures the federal government and ensures the rights of the American people..
Unit Opener: The 3 Branches and Checks and Balances
A New Government: The Constitutional Convention resulted in a brand new Constitution for the United States. This Constitution has served as an "instruction manual" and "rule book" for America's government ever since it was ratified (approved) in 1788. For over two hundred years, it has told our citizens how government officials are elected or chosen, what rights these citizens have, and much, much more. For all of these reasons, this document is one of the most important pieces of paper in the history of the world, and many of its ideas have been borrowed by countries around the world in writing their own constitutions.
Federalists vs. Anti-FederalistsThe creation of the Constitution entailed hours of debate and compromise, and the delegates had nearly accomplished what they had set out to do in Philadelphia. But, the task of fixing the ailing Confederate government was not complete yet; each state had to ratify, or approve, the Constitution. In the debate over ratification two groups formed: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Federalists were in favor of ratification, and the Anti-Federalists were against it. But why?
Directions: Below are nine statements that describe either the Federalists, the Anti-Federalists or both. Copy the Venn Diagram to the right on a full sheet of paper. Then, conduct research on the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. As you learn more about these two groups, decide if each statement describes the Federalists, the Anti-Federalists or both, and place them in the appropriate space in the Venn Diagram.
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Federalism:
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Governmental Roles and Checks and Balances: Legislative - Makes Laws Congress is composed of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senate The Senate has 100 elected senators total; 2 senators per state. Each senator serves a 6 year term. House of Representatives The House has 435 voting representatives; the number of representatives from each state is based on the state's population. Each representative serves a 2 year term and may be re-elected. Executive - Carries Out Laws The executive branch is made up of three parts: the President, Vice President and Cabinet members. President The president is the head of state, head of the U.S. government and the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military. Vice President The vice president not only supports the president, but also acts as the presiding officer of the senate. Cabinet The Cabinet members are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes). They serve as advisors and heads of various departments and agencies. Judicial - Evaluates Laws The judicial branch of government is made up of the court system. Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. The 9 justices are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes). Other Federal Courts There are lower Federal courts but they were not created by the Constitution. Congress deemed them necessary and established them using power granted from the Constitution. For an in depth look at how all three branches work together check out the following Supreme Court case: US v. Alvarez |
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