Unit #1:Constitutional Underpinnings

AP US GoPo

Class Starter

•Make a simile/analogy:–Our government is like _______________.

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William Penn:

• Government, like clocks, go from the motion men give them, and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments.

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Class Starter

• List 3 advantages/pros for the democratic form of government.• List 3 disadvantages/cons for the democratic form of government

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Democracy

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Theories of Democracy

• Pluralism:Groups with shared interests

influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts.•Groups compete with each other for control over government, ex. Interest Groups

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Theories of Democracy

• Elitism:Our society is divided along

class lines and that an upper-class elite pulls the strings of government.

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Theories of Democracy

• Hyperpluralism:Many competing groups are so

strong that they cripple the government’s ability to make policy.

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Seminar Directions

• Move desks in a tight circle• Each student will have the

opportunity to speak• Do not interrupt another student• Do not criticize or put down

another student for sharing their ideas/beliefs

Class Starter

•Explain Locke’s major concepts in Second Treatise on Civil Government.•How is Locke’s legacy reflected in US government?

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Origins of the Constitution

AP US GoPo

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I. Road to Revolution

• 1754-1763—French and Indian War

• 1776—Second Constitutional Convention–Declaration of Independence

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II. The English Heritage

• Locke:–Natural Rights–Consent of the Government–Limited Government–Right to Revolt

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III. Articles of Confederation

• State dominated national government

• 1-house legislature, Congress• What were the major weaknesses of

the Articles of Confederation?• Changes in states:–Bills of rights–Power concentration in legislatures

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IV. Economic Turmoil

• Post-war depression• Debtors were frustrated and

were not going to allow creditors to take their property–Shays’ Rebellion 1786–Economic elites are worried

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V. Change to Come

• Annapolis Meeting—1786, suggested changes– Asked permission from Congress to

meet again in Philadelphia in 1787

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