Civics/geography September 24

1.Identify three different influences on the founders who wrote the constitution. 2.Identify two ways in which the constitution limits government power. 3.What is the purpose of government according to the declaration of independence? STINGER

Influences on the founders Classical Republican Philosophy Natural Rights Philosophy British history Colonial Experience Ways the Constitution Limits government powers written restrictions on government power Checks and balances Written rights Frequent elections According to the Declaration, the purpose of government is to protect life, liberty, and happiness. REVIEW FROM THE STINGER

1. How does the Constitution limit government power to protect individual rights while promoting the common good? Why did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagree on whether the Constitution sufficiently protected individual rights and promoted the common good? What responsibilities, if any, do citizens have for seeing that individual rights are protected and the common good is promoted? GUIDING QUESTIONS

1.Make two columns by folding a paper lengthwise. 1.Label one column individual rights 2.Label the other column common good 2.Use the back of the paper to make two more columns 1.Label one column Federalists 2.Label the other column anti-federalists GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

Specific lists of rights in the body of the constitution including writ of Habeas Corpus Trial by jury Definition of treason Limits on government power Checks and balances Lawmaking power given to representatives of the people State governments left in charge of most issues that would touch individual rights HOW DOES THE CONSTITUTION PROTECT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS?

Preamble statement that the government exists to promote the general welfare Authorization of an army and a navy to defend the country from attack Ability of congress to tax and then to spend that money Powerful executive with broad powers in foreign policy Executive that is elected by a group of educated elites Unelected courts that protect the constitution itself HOW DOES THE CONSTITUTION PROTECT THE COMMON GOOD

Federalists thought that 1.They had not created a government powerful enough to deprive people of rights 2.Checks and balances would keep government from violating the rights of the people 3.The states were more likely to violate rights than was the federal government 4.Making a list of rights would create the idea that the federal government DID have the power to infringe on the rights of the people 5.Any list of rights would be incomplete, opening up the possibility that the people’s rights would be at risk FEDERALISTS

Antifederalists believed that 1.The Constitution had robbed the states of much of their power 2.The constitution had created an executive that was too powerful 3.The constitution had given too much power to unelected people 4.A list of rights was absolutely necessary for protecting the people from the government ANTIFEDERALISTS

Come up with at least 5 ways that a citizen can protect him or herself from government. For example, a citizen can vote people into office who promise to protect individual rights. After five minutes, share with the person next to you. Pick the two best from your lists and share out. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENS

Voting Exposing government corruption in the media Attending meetings Contacting politicians (letters, s, phone calls) Testifying to legislative bodies Remaining informed about government actions Running for office Campaigning for others who are running for office Joining interest groups Donating money Filing lawsuits etc SOME POSSIBILITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Read the article about the Constitutional Convention and complete the worksheet! Exit Ticket (You can write this on the bottom of the worksheet): In 1787, would you have been a federalist or an anti-federalist? Why? CLASSWORK!