Presearch Three: the Constitution: a More Perfect Union

US History 1.3 Forming a New Nation Presearch Three: The Constitution: A More Perfect Union

Themes: Individuals, Groups, Power, Authority and Governance, Civil Ideals and Practices

Objectives:  Evaluate the major debates that occurred during the development of the Constitution and their ultimate resolutions in such areas as shared power among institutions, divided state-federal power, slavery, the rights of individuals and states, and the status of American Indian nations under the commerce clause.  Enumerate the powers of government set forth in the Constitution and the fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights  Describe the principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and the ways in which the American idea of constitutionalism preserves individual rights.  Describe the basic law-making process and how the Constitution provides numerous opportunities for citizens to participate in the political process and to monitor and influence government (e.g., function of elections, political parties, interest groups).

Essential questions: 1. What powers do the national government have under the Constitution? Which powers belong to the states? Which powers are shared? 2. What is the significance of the following terms: federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, and individual rights? 3. How did the Constitution view Native American tribes? 4. What are the roles of individual citizens, elections, political parties, and interest groups in the political process?

All work should be recorded and filed in your new ISN: Forming a New Nation

This week: Due Points In ISN 11/6 30 1) Essential Questions 2-4 above 11/6 50 2) John Adams Questions – Episodes Two, Three and Four 3) Quiz on the following vocabulary:  popular sovereignty  checks and balances  legislative branch  interstate commerce  executive branch  federalism  judicial branch  majority rule 11/6 10  judicial review  interest group 11/8 50 4) “What Does the Constitution Do?”