Journal # 26

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Quote #27

“The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure.”

Albert Einstein

When are your rights not secure? How do you ensure your constitutional security?

Human Nature?

Some political philosophers believe that if people are in their “Natural State” (not under government control)…peace, prosperity and harmony would be the norm.

Optimists believe that people are fundamentally compassionate, sharing and peaceful.

Pessimists believe that people are generally selfish, grasping and violent.

LockeRoseauVoltaireEtc.

Hobbes, Machiavelli, etc.

State Constitutions

• Early focus on state constitutions

• Americans wanted new documents vs. British mix of law and tradition.

• Primary focus was on outlining distribution of & limitations on power.

Why limits?

• Colonists learned to fear the power of the governor (or government agent) & looked to their local legislature as their defender. Governor limited by frequent elections, etc.

• Most states retained two-house structure for legislature, w/ upper house having longer terms than lower house.

Why limits? Cont…

• Emphasis on preventing state governments from becoming tyrannical vs. effective authorities

• A decade Declaration of Independence, system of “Checks and Balances” became means of controlling government

Articles of Confederation

• Original powers of Congress evolved during the Revolutionary War

• Unicameral (one house) legislature in which each state had one vote.

• Powers: foreign relations; disputes between states; maritime affairs; regulation of Indian trade and national coins.

Problems w/ Articles of Confederation

• No ability to raise revenue or to enforce policies.

• U.S. described as a “firm league of friendship” in which state is sovereign

• Finance was a huge problem…states continued to print money

• States (and individuals) feared a national government with authority to tax!

How should members lower house of Congress be elected?

What should be done about the slave trade?

National government’s role in issuing paper money?

Which branch of govt. should have the power to declare war?

How should the power of the executive branch be structured?

Constitutional ConventionDebates of Philadelphia

What should be the extent of executive veto power?

How should the proposed constitution be considered forratification?

How should power be divided between the natl. and state governments?

How should states be represented in the natl. legislature?

Should slaves be counted in determining representationin the national legislature?

Debates of Philadelphia

The 3 Branches of Government

Baron de Montesquieu1689-1755

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Separation of Powers

• “Key” to Constitution is distribution of political authority.

• Branches are balanced against each other, their powers deliberately entwined to prevent them from acting independently. “Checks & Balances”

Separation of Powers

• President has veto power over congressional legislation, Senate required to approve treaties & “appointments” (judges, diplomats, etc.)

• Courts have final say on interpreting “Constitutionality” of laws passed by Congress

Federalists

• Virtuous, self-sacrificing led by aristocracy of talent

• Appealed to young who didn’t remember excesses of King

• Faith in “separation of powers”

Anti-Federalists

• Feared powerful central government

• Recognized need for revenue

• Arguments were often lists of potential abuses of authority.

• views from before revolution.

• Stressed popular vigilance to avert oppression.

Beginnings of Political Parties

Product: Children’s Book of the Constitution You have just been hired by a company to produce a book to help children understand the Constitution of the United States. You and two of your fellow student writers must make the Constitution as easy to understand as possible. Using whatever materials are available; including out text (pgs. 66-103) and resources from the library, magazines, and art supplies – your group must create a book that 5th graders could understand and be excited about.

Requirements –

Your book: ● should be in full-color. Children need eye stimulation to keep them interested and happy. ● must have an illustrated cover. ● be at least 7 pages in length, not including the cover.

● include at least 4 custom graphics

● have a central character for the kids to identify with. For example, little Thomas (Tommy) Jefferson w/ a talking quill pen.

Think: Fido Dido from 7-Up; Mr. Clean; Tony the Tiger, Pillsbury Doe Boy; “help” icon in Microsoft Word

 

Part One: Foundations of American Government ● you must write about the history & foundations of Constitution        

What documents preceded it?         Why was it needed?         How was it written? And all that other stuff…         Constitutional Conventions…         “Framers” of the document?         Philosophies they drew on?

Part Two: The Constitution & the People ● organization & main body of Constitution including:        Preamble        the Articles         Bill of Rights (# 1 & 5 + 2 of your choice)        Amendments 11-26 (14 & 19 + 2 of your choice)

The American Mosaic: U.S. History - Mr. Wycoff Product: Children’s Book of the Constitution You have just been hired by a company to produce a book to help children understand the Constitution of the United States. You and two of your fellow student writers must make the Constitution as easy to understand as possible. Using whatever materials are available; including out text (pgs. 66-103) and resources from the library, magazines, and art supplies – your group must create a book that 5th graders could understand and be excited about. Requirements –

� should be in full-color & include at least 4 custom graphics� illustrated cover & be at least 7 pages in length (not including cover)� have a central character for the kids to identify with.that reappears throughout the book. For example, little Thomas (Tommy) Jefferson w/ a talking quill pen. Think: Fido Dido from 7-Up; Mr. Clean; Tony the Tiger, Pillsbury Doe Boy; dog “help” icon in Microsoft Word Part One: Purpose of Constitution (p. 82-83) 

you must write about the history & foundations of Constitution some points to consider… (don’t need all) � What documents came before it?         � Philosophies they drew on? � Why was it needed? � How was it written? And all that other stuff… � Constitutional Conventions… � “Framers” of the document? Part Two: The Constitution & the People 

organization & main body of Constitution including: � Preamble � the Articles � Bill of Rights (# 1 & 5 + 1 of your choice) � Amendments (14 & 19 + 1 of your choice)

The American Mosaic: U.S. History - Mr. Wycoff Product: Children’s Book of the Constitution You have just been hired by a company to produce a book to help children understand the Constitution of the United States. You and two of your fellow student writers must make the Constitution as easy to understand as possible. Using whatever materials are available; including out text (pgs. 66-103) and resources from the library, magazines, and art supplies – your group must create a book that 5th graders could understand and be excited about. Requirements –

� should be in full-color & include at least 4 custom graphics� illustrated cover & be at least 7 pages in length (not including cover)� have a central character for the kids to identify with.that reappears throughout the book. For example, little Thomas (Tommy) Jefferson w/ a talking quill pen. Think: Fido Dido from 7-Up; Mr. Clean; Tony the Tiger, Pillsbury Doe Boy; dog “help” icon in Microsoft Word Part One: Purpose of Constitution (p. 82-83) 

you must write about the history & foundations of Constitution consider… � What documents came before it?         � Philosophies they drew on? � Why was it needed? � How was it written? And all that other stuff… � Constitutional Conventions… � “Framers” of the document? Part Two: The Constitution & the People 

organization & main body of Constitution including: � Preamble � the Articles � Bill of Rights (# 1 & 5 + 1 of your choice) � Amendments (14 & 19 + 1 of your choice)

The American Mosaic: Peer Evaluation  Product: Children’s Book of the Constitution

Your name: _________________________________

Creator’s name: ______________________________

Requirements –� full-color & include at least 3 custom graphics Fix 3 4 5� at least 7 pages in length including cover Fix 3 4 5� has a central character for the kids to identify with� ‘designed’ to appeal to 5th graders Fix 3 4 5

Part One: Purpose of Constitution (p. 82-83) (don’t need to have all of these)

� What documents came before? Fix 3 4 5

� Why was it needed? Fix 3 4 5

� How was it written? Fix 3 4 5

� Constitutional Convention Fix 3 4 5

� “Framers” of the document? Fix 3 4 5

Part Two: The Constitution & the People

� Preamble Fix 3 4 5

� the Articles (what is purpose?) Fix 3 4 5

� Bill of Right: 1 & 5 + choice Fix 3 4 5

� Amendments: 14 & 19 + choice Fix 3 4 5

Mechanics:

� spelling Fix 3 4 5

� complete sentences Fix 3 4 5

� fragments, run-ons Fix 3 4 5

� apostrophes / other punctuation Fix 3 4 5

Written Feedback: _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

The American Mosaic: Peer Evaluation  Product: Children’s Book of the Constitution

Your name: _________________________________

Creator’s name: ______________________________

Requirements –� full-color & include at least 3 custom graphics Fix 3 4 5� at least 7 pages in length including cover Fix 3 4 5� has a central character for the kids to identify with� ‘designed’ to appeal to 5th graders Fix 3 4 5

Part One: Purpose of Constitution (p. 82-83) (don’t need to have all of these)

� What documents came before? Fix 3 4 5

� Why was it needed? Fix 3 4 5

� How was it written? Fix 3 4 5

� Constitutional Convention Fix 3 4 5

� “Framers” of the document? Fix 3 4 5

Part Two: The Constitution & the People

� Preamble Fix 3 4 5

� the Articles (what is purpose?) Fix 3 4 5

� Bill of Right: 1 & 5 + choice Fix 3 4 5

� Amendments: 14 & 19 + choice Fix 3 4 5

Mechanics:

� spelling Fix 3 4 5

� complete sentences Fix 3 4 5

� fragments, run-ons Fix 3 4 5

� apostrophes / other punctuation Fix 3 4 5

Written Feedback: _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________