Lesson 1.1: Ideals of Democracy
Enduring Understanding:
A balance between governmental power and individual rights has been a hallmark (or important
piece) of American political development.
piece) of American political development.
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of
Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Essential Knowledge:
The U.S. government is based on ideas of limited government, including natural rights,
popular sovereignty, republicanism, and social contract.
popular sovereignty, republicanism, and social contract.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jefferson with help from Adams and Franklin, provides
a foundation for popular sovereignty, while the U.S. Constitution drafted at the Philadelphia convention
led by George Washington, with important contributions from Madison, Hamilton, and members of the
“grand committee,” provides the blueprint for a unique form of political democracy in the U.S.
a foundation for popular sovereignty, while the U.S. Constitution drafted at the Philadelphia convention
led by George Washington, with important contributions from Madison, Hamilton, and members of the
“grand committee,” provides the blueprint for a unique form of political democracy in the U.S.
Debrief 1.1:
If you were in charge of ruling an island, who would you put in charge? Who would make the rules, what rules would you make?
Mini-Lecture over Types of Government and Ideals of Democracy: See Unit One Notes
Theories of Rule Four Way Organizer:
See handout, place in notebook.
John Locke's Social Contract
Click Here for Reading and answer the following questions in your notebook...
- How does John Locke view human behavior, or human nature in its “natural state?”
- What are the consequences of living under the benefits of organized government in Locke's opinion? (What do we sacrifice?)
- Locke describes how government began. How might we see this development in early history?
- Under what conditions does John Locke believe people have the right to form a new government? Where can this idea be found in American political foundations?
