Unit 1: Constitutional Principles
August 28, 2012
Outcomes: SWBAT define representative democracy and describe early examples
of self-government in colonial US history.
Business
Agenda
Do Now
Business
Do Now Review
Agree/Disagree
Lecture: Government in
colonial America
Reading with a purpose
Closing
Homework:
Illustrate identification
definitions
Do Now Review
Do Now: What does it mean to be “American”? What
beliefs, actions or traditions do you associate with the
term?
Essential Question
How perfect is the “more perfect union”?
Is America capable of living up to the ideals
included in the founding documents?
Do we value our values?
Value
Equality
Self-government
Competition
Individuality
The Common Good
Liberty
Diversity or Pluralism
Not valued
Somewhat
Valued
Highly
Valued
Agree or Disagree?
It is absolutely safe to say whatever
you want, whenever you want
Agree or Disagree?
Our legal system, including police,
are fair
Agree or Disagree?
American government and religion
are completely separate
Agree or Disagree?
The American people have control
over their government
Unit 1: Constitutional Principles
A More Perfect Union?
To what extent have Americans lived up to the
promises made by the writers of the Constitution?
Representative Democracy
Simulation
What is the difference between representative
democracy and representative democracy? Why are
most decisions in America made through
representative democracy? What are the potential
problems with representative democracy?
Reading Activity: Use the secondary source reading provided to fill out the
graphic organizer below, looking for each event’s EFFECT ON US
GOVERNMENT.
Event
Magna Carta
Mayflower Compact
House of Burgesses
Effect on US government: Text’s Words
Effect on US government: My Words
Reading with a purpose
The Colonial Roots of America's Founding Ideals
Before the United States became the United States, it was a group of
colonies that belonged to Great Britain. Great Britain was a monarchy, and,
until 1215, the king made many of the decisions for both England, and his
colonies throughout the world. In 1215, King John and his rebellious barons
signed an agreement called the Magna Carta, or Great Charter. This
agreement listed rights granted by the king to "all freemen of our country."
Some of these right established a system of justice based on due process of law.
According to due process, a government cannot deprive a person of their life,
liberty, or property, except according to rules established by law. The king also
agreed to share power with the legislature, a group of people chosen to make
laws. This group was called Parliament. The Magna Carta further established
that the people could not be taxed except by their representatives in a
legislature and that the king was not above the law. Decades later, these ideas
would shape the colonists' ideas about government.
Reading with a purpose
The Mayflower Compact
In 1620, a group of 102 passengers were gathered on the Mayflower, a small ship which had just made the
voyage from England to the east coast of America. Their ship had traveled far off course, taking them
to Massachusetts; a place where they would be starting a brand new colony. The group was made up
of a number of people who were seeking religious freedom. Others, however, had left England for
economic reasons. They began to disagree about what the colony should look like when they arrived.
Fearing that a revolt would destroy the colony before it began, the leaders drew up and agreement
known as the Mayflower Compact. The passengers agreed to live in a "civil body politic." They also
agreed to obey "just and equal Laws," enacted by representatives of their choosing. This was the first
written framework for self-government in what would eventually become the United States.
The Right to Self-Government
Over time, each colony elected a legislature. One of the first was Virginia's House of Burgesses,
formed in 1620. Although the House of Burgesses reflected the colonists' belief in self-government,
power was limited to certain people. Only white, male landowners could elect representatives. In
many colonies, a person had to own a certain amount of property to vote.
Reading with a purpose: Our purpose today is to describe the Mayflower
Compact and Virginia House of Burgesses, as well as to describe why they
were so important to US History. As you read, underline any clues that will
help you answer our purpose. Then, fill out the organizer.
Event
Mayflower Compact
House of Burgesses
From the Text: What was it?
In your own words: What was it and
why was it important?
Closing: Earlier we discussed the pros and cons
of representative democracy. Using at least two
points from your classwork, define representative
democracy, give two examples of early
representative democracies, and explain the
reasons why Americans fought so hard to
establish representative democracies in colonial
America.