Unit I: Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
Unit Objectives:
Chapter 1
1.1 Identify the key functions of government and explain why they matter
p.2-10
1.2 Define politics in the context of democratic government
p.10
1.3 Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people
p.11-14
1.4 Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice and
the challenges democracy faces today p.14-23
1.5 Outline the central arguments of the debate in America over the proper scope of government
p.23-26
Chapter 2
2.1Describe the ideas behind the American Revolution and their role in shaping the Constitution
p.30-37
2.2 Analyze how the weaknesses of the Article of Confederation led to its failure
p.37-40
2.3 Describe the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and the core ideas they shared
p.40-42
2.4 Categorize the issues at the Constitutional Convention and outline the resolutions reached on each
type of issue
p.42-48
2.5 Analyze how the components of the Madisonian system addressed the dilemma of reconciling
majority rule with the protection of minority interests
p.48-51
2.6 Compare and contrast the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in terms of their background and their
positions regarding government
p.51-55
2.7 Explain how the Constitution can be formally amended and how it changes informally
p.55-61
2.8 Assess whether the Constitution establishes a majoritarian democracy and how it limits the scope of
Government
p.61-65
Chapter 3
3.1 Define federalism and contrast it with alternative ways of organizing a nation
p.71-74
3.2 Outline the constitutional basis for the division of power between national and state governments,
the establishment of national supremacy, and states’ obligations to each other
p.74-81
3.3 Characterize the shift from dual to cooperative federalism and the role of fiscal federalism in
intergovernmental relations today
p.81-90
3.4 Assess the impact of federalism on democratic government and the scope of government
p.90-96
Resources:
• Edwards, Government in America
o Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America, p. 1-29
o Chapter 2: The Constitution, p. 30-67
o Chapter 3: Federalism, p. 68-97
• Woll, American Government: Readings and Cases
o John Locke – “Second Treatise, Of Civil Government”
o James Madison – “Federalist 47, 48, 51”
o Alexander Hamilton – “Federalist 16, 17”
o James Madison – “Federalist 44”
o James Madison – “Federalist 39”
o Morton Grodzins – “The Federal System”
Key Concepts and Items:
• Government (and purposes of)
• Politics
• Policymaking system
• Linkage institutions
• Policymaking institutions
• Public policy
• Democracy
• Majority rule vs. Minority rights
• Representation
• Theories of government: pluralist, elite and class,
hyperpluralist, majoritarian
• Declaration of Independence
• U.S. Constitution
• Natural rights
• Consent of the government
• Limited government
• Articles of
Confederation
• Shays’ Rebellion
• Factions
• New Jersey vs. Virginia Plans
• Connecticut Compromise
• Writ of habeas corpus
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
• Democracy vs. Republic
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
• Federalist Papers
• Bill of Rights
• Marbury v. Madison
• Judicial review
• Federalism
• Unitary vs. Confederate vs. Federal systems
• Intergovernmental relations
• Supremacy clause
• McCulloch v. Maryland
• Enumerated powers
• Implied powers
• Elastic clause
• Gibbons v. Ogden
• Full faith and credit clause
• Dual vs. Cooperative federalism
• Fiscal federalism
• Categorical grants
• Block grants
• Project grants
• Formula grants