Lesson 1.6: Principles of American Government
Enduring Understanding:
The Constitution created a competitive policy-making process to ensure the people’s will is represented and that freedom is preserved.Learning Objectives:
Explain the constitutional principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. Explain the implications of separation of powers and checks and balances for the U.S. political system.Essential Knowledge:
The powers allocated to Congress, the president, and the courts demonstrate the separation of powers and checks and balances features of the U.S. Constitution.Federalist No. 51 explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities.
Debrief 1.4:
Watch the following video on EdPuzzle and answer the questions...
Think about the following quote:
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." -James MadisonThink about what this quote means... What does this quote have to do with checks and balances within our government?
Activity #1: Federalist 51 Drawings
Using our understanding of Federalist 51 from last class, draw an illustration that you feel captures the meaning of Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Paper #51. See class discussion for examples.
Activity #2:
Log in to AP Classroom to ensure that topic quizzes 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 are all completed.
Activity #3:
Please add the following terms to your vocabulary index in the back of your notebook:
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Bicameral
Bill of Rights
