Civics/geography September 24

BUILDING A CONSTITUTION

1.Identify three different influences on the founders who wrote the

constitution. 2.Identify two ways in which the

constitution limits government power. 3.What is the purpose of government

according to the declaration of independence?

STINGER

Influences on the founders

Classical Republican Philosophy

Natural Rights Philosophy

British history

Colonial Experience

Ways the Constitution Limits government powers

written restrictions on government power

Checks and balances

Written rights

Frequent elections

According to the Declaration, the purpose of government is to protect life, liberty, and happiness.

REVIEW FROM THE STINGER

1. How does the Constitution limit government power to protect individual

rights while promoting the common good?• Why did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagree on whether the Constitution sufficiently protected individual rights and promoted the

common good?• What responsibilities, if any, do citizens have for seeing that individual rights are

protected and the common good is promoted?

GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. Make two columns by folding a paper lengthwise.

1. Label one column individual rights

2. Label the other column common good 2. Use the back of the paper to make two

more columns

1. Label one column Federalists

2. Label the other column anti-federalists

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

• Specific lists of rights in the body of the constitution including

• writ of Habeas Corpus

• Trial by jury

• Definition of treason • Limits on government power

• Checks and balances • Lawmaking power given to representatives of the

people • State governments left in charge of most issues that

would touch individual rights

HOW DOES THE CONSTITUTION PROTECT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS?

Preamble statement that the government exists to promote the general welfare

Authorization of an army and a navy to defend the country from attack

Ability of congress to tax and then to spend that money

Powerful executive with broad powers in foreign policy

Executive that is elected by a group of educated elites

Unelected courts that protect the constitution itself

HOW DOES THE CONSTITUTION PROTECT

THE COMMON GOOD

Federalists thought that

1. They had not created a government powerful enough to deprive people of rights

2. Checks and balances would keep government from violating the rights of the people

3. The states were more likely to violate rights than was the federal government

4. Making a list of rights would create the idea that the federal government DID have the power to infringe on

the rights of the people

5. Any list of rights would be incomplete, opening up the possibility that the people’s rights would be at risk

FEDERALISTS

Antifederalists believed that1. The Constitution had robbed the states

of much of their power 2. The constitution had created an

executive that was too powerful 3. The constitution had given too much

power to unelected people 4. A list of rights was absolutely necessary

for protecting the people from the government

ANTIFEDERALISTS

Come up with at least 5 ways that a citizen can protect him or herself from government. For example, a citizen can vote people into office

who promise to protect individual rights.

After five minutes, share with the person next to you.

Pick the two best from your lists and share out.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENS

Voting Exposing government corruption in the media

Attending meetings Contacting politicians (letters, emails, phone

calls) Testifying to legislative bodies

Remaining informed about government actions Running for office

Campaigning for others who are running for office Joining interest groups

Donating money Filing lawsuits

etc

SOME POSSIBILITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Read the article about the Constitutional Convention and

complete the worksheet!

Exit Ticket (You can write this on the bottom of the worksheet):

In 1787, would you have been a federalist or an anti-federalist? Why?

CLASSWORK!