Discovering American Ideals in Primary Sources

Core Values Democracy: A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. The absence of hereditary class distinctions or privileges Example: Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. A government for the people by the people.

C.V. Continued Equality: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. Equality means no one is by nature the ruler of any other person. Each human being is equal in his right to life, liberty, and property which the Declaration calls “the pursuit of happiness.” We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;

C.V. Liberty: The condition of being free from restriction or control. The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing. The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor. Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control. Right or immunity to engage in certain actions without control or interference: Example: 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.

CV Rights: Rights given or reserved to the people by the U. S. Constitution, and in particular, the Bill of Rights (first Ten Amendments).  Fundamental rights exist philosophically and legally at the individual level and are not dependent upon the existence of government. They are - in essence - an element of humanity, rather than a construct of government. These fundamental rights are frequently also termed "God-given rights", "human rights" or "natural rights". All such terms refer to the fundamental nature of certain rights under the US Constitution. Example 2nd Amendment – A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

CV Opportunity/Capitalism: A good chance for advancement or progress. An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market. We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;

Directions You and your partner need to identify 4 details about each of the images displayed. You also need to connect the image/text to one of the listed concepts and explain the connection. You will only have 3 minutes per slide and we will not pause or go back so you need to stay focused