chapter 4: governance and civics lesson 10 founding documents of american government

Chapter 4:Chapter 4:Governance and CivicsGovernance and Civics

Lesson 10Lesson 10

Founding Documents ofFounding Documents of

American GovernmentAmerican Government

The student willThe student will

select examples using First Amendment select examples using First Amendment freedoms (i.e., speech, assembly, and freedoms (i.e., speech, assembly, and religion).religion).

differentiate among the purposes stated in differentiate among the purposes stated in the Declaration of Independence, the U. S. the Declaration of Independence, the U. S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

The American colonies declared The American colonies declared their independence on July 4, 1776.their independence on July 4, 1776.

As they formed a new As they formed a new plan for government, plan for government, American leaders American leaders worked to ensure that worked to ensure that Americans’ rights and Americans’ rights and freedoms would freedoms would always be protected.always be protected.

DocumentsDocuments

American leaders American leaders recorded their ideas recorded their ideas for the new for the new government. Today government. Today these these documentsdocuments, or , or official pieces of official pieces of writing, are cherished writing, are cherished and respected by the and respected by the American people.American people.

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence


By the 1760s, the American colonists had By the 1760s, the American colonists had begun to challenge British rule. The begun to challenge British rule. The colonists believed that certain taxes and colonists believed that certain taxes and laws imposed on them by the British were laws imposed on them by the British were unfair. Colonial leaders protested.unfair. Colonial leaders protested.


Soon, British troops began using force to Soon, British troops began using force to make the colonists obey British laws. make the colonists obey British laws. Protests and skirmishes began to break Protests and skirmishes began to break out. Many colonists believed that a out. Many colonists believed that a peaceful solution was impossible and that peaceful solution was impossible and that freedom from British rule was the only freedom from British rule was the only option.option.


In June 1776, a In June 1776, a committee of colonial committee of colonial leaders chose leaders chose Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson to to write a statement write a statement declaring the declaring the colonies’ colonies’ independence from independence from Great Britain.Great Britain.


Thomas Jefferson finished the document Thomas Jefferson finished the document in a few days.in a few days.

On July 4, 1776, the leaders approved On July 4, 1776, the leaders approved Jefferson’s work and published it. Jefferson’s work and published it.

The document became known as the The document became known as the Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence.


http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/graff.hhttp://www.ushistory.org/declaration/graff.htmtm

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signerhttp://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/index.htms/index.htm

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/DeclarInd.htmlDeclarInd.html


The Declaration of Independence starts by The Declaration of Independence starts by saying that all people have a right to “life, saying that all people have a right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. This liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. This right does not come from any government. right does not come from any government. It is a natural right that all people are born It is a natural right that all people are born with. with.


The declaration states that when a The declaration states that when a government does not respect or protect government does not respect or protect these rights, the people have a right to end these rights, the people have a right to end their connection with that government.their connection with that government.

Citizens may then set up a new Citizens may then set up a new government that will protect the rights of government that will protect the rights of the people. the people.

This is a basic principle of This is a basic principle of democracy – that government democracy – that government gets its power only from the gets its power only from the

people.people.

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence also The Declaration of Independence also includes a list of more than 25 ways in includes a list of more than 25 ways in which Great Britain had harmed the which Great Britain had harmed the colonists. It points out how the colonists colonists. It points out how the colonists had tried through peaceful means to get had tried through peaceful means to get the British government to change some of the British government to change some of its laws. its laws.

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

The declaration closes by saying that the The declaration closes by saying that the colonists’ only reasonable response to colonists’ only reasonable response to such a situation is to break away from such a situation is to break away from Great Britain and end all ties.Great Britain and end all ties.

ConstitutionConstitution

Once independence Once independence had been declared, a had been declared, a new government had new government had to be formed. The to be formed. The group of men who led group of men who led the country at the the country at the time were in the time were in the Second Continental Second Continental Congress.Congress.


They set up a federal government under They set up a federal government under the the Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation. This . This document gave the states a great deal of document gave the states a great deal of independence from the national independence from the national government. The Congress, for example, government. The Congress, for example, was not allowed to collect taxes or control was not allowed to collect taxes or control trade. It also lacked the power to enforce trade. It also lacked the power to enforce upon the states any measure it passed. upon the states any measure it passed.


Many leaders believed that the new Many leaders believed that the new government did not give Congress enough government did not give Congress enough power. In May 1787, leaders met in power. In May 1787, leaders met in Philadelphia to draw up a new plan for Philadelphia to draw up a new plan for government – the Constitution of the government – the Constitution of the United States of America.United States of America.


The Constitution begins with a section that The Constitution begins with a section that explains the purpose of the document. explains the purpose of the document. This section is called the This section is called the PreamblePreamble. The . The Preamble begins with these famous Preamble begins with these famous words, ”We the people of the United words, ”We the people of the United States…”States…”


The Constitution set up a federal The Constitution set up a federal governmentgovernment. In this type of government, . In this type of government, power is shared between a national power is shared between a national government and state governments. government and state governments.

It outlined the powers that the federal It outlined the powers that the federal government would have. It listed powers government would have. It listed powers that neither the state nor the federal that neither the state nor the federal government would have. government would have.


It gave the rest of the powers to the states. It gave the rest of the powers to the states. In addition, the Constitution stated that In addition, the Constitution stated that the Congress had the power to make any the Congress had the power to make any laws necessary to carry out the powers laws necessary to carry out the powers that are listed in the Constitution. that are listed in the Constitution.

These powers are called These powers are called implied powers.implied powers.


www.uswww.usconstitutionconstitution.net/const.net/constkidskids4.html 4.html

www.www.constitutionconstitutioncenter.org/explore/center.org/explore/ForForKidsKids/index.shtml /index.shtml

www.whitehouse.gov/www.whitehouse.gov/kidskids//constitutionconstitution/ /

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

The Constitution was signed on The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. Now it had to go to September 17, 1787. Now it had to go to the states to be agreed upon, or the states to be agreed upon, or ratifiedratified. . Not all the states liked the document in its Not all the states liked the document in its present form. The state leaders who met present form. The state leaders who met to discuss the document agreed that it to discuss the document agreed that it needed a section that would list the rights needed a section that would list the rights of American citizens – rights the of American citizens – rights the government could not take away. government could not take away.

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

The states agreed to ratify the Constitution The states agreed to ratify the Constitution only if the supporters of the Constitution only if the supporters of the Constitution agreed to add such a list of rights.agreed to add such a list of rights.

By June 21, 1788, the new plan By June 21, 1788, the new plan for government, called the for government, called the

Constitution of the United States Constitution of the United States of America, was ratified by 9 of of America, was ratified by 9 of

the 13 states. Now the the 13 states. Now the Constitution was the law of the Constitution was the law of the

land.land.


As it had promised, As it had promised, Congress went to Congress went to work drawing up a list work drawing up a list of rights. of rights. James James Madison, Madison, a member a member of the newly created of the newly created House of House of Representatives, led Representatives, led the effort.the effort.


In September 1789, Congress came up In September 1789, Congress came up with a list of 10 with a list of 10 amendmentsamendments, or , or additions, to the Constitution. These additions, to the Constitution. These amendments are known as the amendments are known as the Bill of Bill of RightsRights..

Bill of RightsBill of Rights

The Bill of Right guarantees citizens of the The Bill of Right guarantees citizens of the United States a number of rights. United States a number of rights. The First Amendment, for example, says The First Amendment, for example, says that the people have the freedom to follow that the people have the freedom to follow any religion they choose. It also any religion they choose. It also guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to meet peacefully, and the press, freedom to meet peacefully, and freedom to petition (ask) the government freedom to petition (ask) the government to correct any injustices.to correct any injustices.


The Fourth Amendment says the police The Fourth Amendment says the police cannot search a person’s home or private cannot search a person’s home or private belongings without proving there is a good belongings without proving there is a good reason to do so. reason to do so.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees a The Sixth Amendment guarantees a person who is accused of a crime a fair person who is accused of a crime a fair trial.trial.


Since the Bill of Rights was added to the Since the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution, 17 more amendments have Constitution, 17 more amendments have been added, for a total of 27.been added, for a total of 27.

Amendment IAmendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. redress of grievances.

Amendment IIAmendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. be infringed.

Amendment IIIAmendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IVAmendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. seized.

Amendment VAmendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. just compensation.

Amendment VIAmendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. defence.

Amendment VIIAmendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules United States, than according to the rules of the common law. of the common law.

Amendment VIIIAmendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IXAmendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the deny or disparage others retained by the people. people.

Amendment XAmendment X

The powers not delegated to the United The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. States respectively, or to the people.

Civil War AmendmentsCivil War Amendments

The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution passed Amendments to the Constitution passed after the Civil War. These amendments after the Civil War. These amendments were intended to give former slaves the were intended to give former slaves the rights of citizens.rights of citizens.

1313thth: abolishes slavery: abolishes slavery

1414thth: makes former slaves citizens: makes former slaves citizens

1515thth: allowed former slaves to vote: allowed former slaves to vote

Voting RightsVoting Rights

The 19The 19thth Amendment Amendment was added to the was added to the Constitution in 1920 Constitution in 1920 and gave women the and gave women the right to vote.right to vote.

Which sentence best describes Which sentence best describes the purpose of the Declaration the purpose of the Declaration

of Independence?of Independence?A. It declared war on Great Britain.A. It declared war on Great Britain.B. It described the way the colonies were B. It described the way the colonies were founded.founded.C. It cut the ties between the colonies and C. It cut the ties between the colonies and the government of Great Britain.the government of Great Britain.D. It stated that the United States is a D. It stated that the United States is a democracy.democracy.

Which sentence best describes Which sentence best describes the purpose of the Declaration the purpose of the Declaration

of Independence?of Independence?

C. It cut the ties between the colonies and C. It cut the ties between the colonies and the government of Great Britain.the government of Great Britain.

What is the Bill of Rights?What is the Bill of Rights?

A. the plan for the US governmentA. the plan for the US government

B. a document that describes how the B. a document that describes how the country’s money is spentcountry’s money is spent

C. a list of the rights and freedoms of US C. a list of the rights and freedoms of US citizenscitizens

D. a declaration that all men are created D. a declaration that all men are created equalequal

What is the Bill of Rights?What is the Bill of Rights?

C. a list of the rights and freedoms of US C. a list of the rights and freedoms of US citizenscitizens

Which one of the following is an Which one of the following is an example of a right protected by example of a right protected by

the First Amendment?the First Amendment?

A. the right to a fair trialA. the right to a fair trial

B. the right to voteB. the right to vote

C. the right to life and libertyC. the right to life and liberty

D. the right to religious freedomD. the right to religious freedom

Which one of the following is an Which one of the following is an example of a right protected by example of a right protected by

the First Amendment?the First Amendment?

D. the right to religious freedomD. the right to religious freedom

chapter 4: governance and civics lesson 10 founding documents of american government

Documents

british government

new government

american colonists

federal government

colonies independence

american people

constitutiononce independence

british laws