Introduction to America… Examining The Important documents MHSSS USHG – F1

Just so you know…. If you see anything written in YELLOW, you do not need to copy it down So this is all yellow text…don’t write it down. On to the fun stuff…

Name that document! “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Declaration of Independence! Signed July 4, 1776 Formal break from Great Britain

Name that document! “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.”

The Constitution of the United States! Ratified in 1788 By 9 of 13 original colonies By 1790 all states ratified the Constitution Replaced Articles of Confederation Law of the land

Articles Outline the framework of our government Seven articles total

Amendments 27 Amendments First 10 Amendments = The Bill of Rights (1791) 17 Amendments added after 1791

Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty - authority of the people Republicanism - system of limited government where the people decide Limited government - restrict government’s authority to specific powers granted by the people Federalism - shared power between the state and national levels

Principles continued… Separation of Powers - power is divided amongst three branches Judicial (Supreme Court) Executive (President) Legislative (Congress) Checks and Balances - each branch of government can check, or limit, the power of the other branches Individual Rights - basic rights given to the people Laid out in Bill of Rights

Historical Charades Game Plan: I will walk around and assign each group ONE Core Principle from the US Constitution. You will be assigned the task of acting out the principle without using words or props. The group that RAISES THEIR HAND and guesses correctly the most gets gold stars and extra participation points!

Core Principles – The List Popular Sovereignty Republicanism Federalism Separation of Powers Individual Rights Checks and Balances Limited Government