A New Nation

Beginning with the Declaration of Independence, this unit will explore the transition from thirteen individual colonies to one united nation.  By focusing on the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the unit will look at the democratic process and how the Constitution created a structure of government that is relevant today.  

Theme:

The identity of the American colonies as individuals was formed over the period of more than 150 years.  John Adams said, "the revolution was in the hearts and minds of the people long before the fighting started."  During that time the colonies were able to grow and expand socially, politically and perhaps, most important, economically.  After fighting for, and achieving, independence the United States was born.  Based on revolutionary ideals, the United States was now positioned to grow up and institute the government it fought so hard to achieve.  The notion of growing up will permeate the unit as we seek to understand how a new nation struggles and grows to create a strong federal government, yet, preserve the rights of the individual.

Essential Questions:

• How "revolutionary" was the Revolutionary War?

• Do we still hold "these truths to be self evident?"

• Why is the Constitution often referred to as a "bundle of compromises."?

• Is the Constitution, specifically, the Bill of Rights relevant today or is it outdated?

• Is one branch of the government more powerful than another?

You will be able to:

• Analyze the Declaration of Independence as a primary source and understand the Enlightenment political theory behind the document.

• Understand why the Articles of Confederation failed and how the Federalists and Anti-Federalists compromised to write the Constitution.

• Evaluate a current issue and examine the different constitutional issues involved.

• Explain the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances.