Unit #1:
Constitutional Underpinnings
AP US GoPo
Class Starter
•Make a simile/analogy:
–Our government is like
_______________.
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William Penn:
• Government, like clocks, go from the
motion men give them, and as governments
are made and moved by men, so by them
they are ruined too. Wherefore
governments rather depend upon men, than
men upon governments.
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Class Starter
• List 3 advantages/pros for the democratic
form of government.
• List 3 disadvantages/cons for the
democratic form of government
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Democracy
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Theories of Democracy
• Pluralism:
Groups with shared interests
influence public policy by
pressing their concerns through
organized efforts.
• Groups compete with each other for
control over government, ex.
Interest Groups
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Theories of Democracy
• Elitism:
Our society is divided along class
lines and that an upper-class
elite pulls the strings of
government.
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Theories of Democracy
• Hyperpluralism:
Many competing groups are so
strong that they cripple the
government’s ability to make
policy.
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Seminar Directions
• Move desks in a tight circle
• Each student will have the opportunity to
speak
• Do not interrupt another student
• Do not criticize or put down another student
for sharing their ideas/beliefs
Class Starter
• Explain Locke’s major concepts in
Second Treatise on Civil
Government.
• How is Locke’s legacy reflected in
US government?
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Origins of the Constitution
AP US GoPo
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I. Road to Revolution
• 1754-1763—French and Indian War
• 1776—Second Constitutional
Convention
– Declaration of Independence
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II. The English Heritage
• Locke:
– Natural Rights
– Consent of the Government
– Limited Government
– Right to Revolt
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III. Articles of Confederation
• State dominated national
government
• 1-house legislature, Congress
• What were the major weaknesses
of the Articles of Confederation?
• Changes in states:
– Bills of rights
– Power concentration in legislatures
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IV. Economic Turmoil
• Post-war depression
• Debtors were frustrated and were
not going to allow creditors to take
their property
– Shays’ Rebellion 1786
– Economic elites are worried
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V. Change to Come
• Annapolis Meeting—1786, suggested
changes
– Asked permission from Congress to meet
again in Philadelphia in 1787
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