Early Government ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: Why do people form Governments? Why are the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights important to American history?
TEKS and Objectives We will… (1A) analyze and evaluate the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights (21B) discuss historical reasons why the Constitution has been amended I will… Summarize the significance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights by completing a graphic organizer
What is a democracy? system of government power vested in the people citizens rule either directly or through freely elected representatives
Enlightenment European intellectual movement Emphasized reason and individualism Founding Fathers inspired by Enlightenment ideas
Great Awakening Evangelical movement in American colonies Led by Protestant preachers Strong Christian influence on U.S. religion, culture, and politics
Declaration of Independence Formally declared colonies’ separation from Great Britain Established the United States as a sovereign nation
Articles of Confederation Original Constitution of the U.S. Proved a strong central government was necessary
U.S. Constitution Rules for how government should function Represents fundamental laws and principles of the United States
Preamble (Introduction) #Goals “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure 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.”
Preamble The preamble lists many goals for creating a new Constitution. Do you think that we have accomplished these goals? Explain your answer.
Federalism System of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments
Separation of Church and State Establishment Clause Government cannot force a religion on people Free Exercise Clause Government cannot stop people from practicing their religion