STANDARD CE.2a
Fundamental Political Principles that Shaped our Government |
The Standard: The student will demonstrate knowledge
of the foundations of American constitutional government by a) explaining the fundamental principles of consent of the governed, limited
government, rule of law, democracy, and representative government. |
What are the
fundamental political principles that have shaped government in the
United States?
Fundamental political
principles
• Consent of the governed—People
are the source of any and all governmental power.
• Limited government—Government is not
all-powerful and may do only those things people have given it the
power to do.
• Rule of law—The government and those
who govern are bound by the law.
• Democracy—In a democratic system of
government the people rule.
• Representative government—In a
representative system of government people elect public
officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf. |
STANDARD CE.2b
Influential Documents that Shaped our Constitutional Government |
The standard: The student will demonstrate knowledge
of the foundations of American constitutional government by b) explaining the significance of the charters of the Virginia Company of
London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence,
the Articles of Confederation, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,
and the Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of
Rights. |
How does the Constitution of the United States of America
reflect
previous documents, including the charters of the Virginia Company of
London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence,
the Articles of Confederation, and the Virginia Statute for
Religious Freedom?
American constitutional government is founded on
concepts articulated in earlier documents, including the charters of the
Virginia Company of London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the
Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Virginia
Statute for Religious Freedom.
Influence of earlier documents on the
Constitution of the United States of America
•
Charters of the Virginia Company of London
Rights of Englishmen
guaranteed to colonists
• The Virginia Declaration of Rights Served as a
model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United
States of America
•
Declaration of Independence
Stated grievances against the king of Great Britain
Declared the colonies’
independence from Great Britain Affirmed “certain
unalienable rights”
(life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness) Established the idea that all people are equal
under the law
•
Articles of Confederation
Established the first
form of
national government for the independent
states Maintained that major powers
resided with individual states
Weakness of central government
(e.g., no
power to tax and enforce laws) Led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America
•
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions
•
Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of
Rights Establishes the
structure of the United States government
Guarantees equality under the law
with majority rule and the rights of
the minority protected Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people
Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly,
and petition. |
STANDARD CE.2c The Preamble States the Purpose of
the Constitution |
The standard: The student will demonstrate knowledge
of the foundations of American constitutional government by c) identifying the purposes for the Constitution of the United States of
America as they are stated in its Preamble. |
What are the purposes
identified in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United
States of America?
The
Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America
expresses the reasons the constitution was written.
Purposes of U.S. government • To form a union • To establish justice • To ensure domestic peace • To provide defense
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America
begins,
“We the people,” which establishes that the power of government comes from the people. |