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Unit 4 Scaffolded Deconstructed DBQ Assignment Sheet and Document Set

Scaffolded Unit 4 Deconstructed DBQ document set.

Instructions

Read and analyze each document in the set. Use the vocabulary to support your understanding and/or take notes as you read. Then, use the graphic organizer to plan your response to the question.

In your response you should:

  • Respond to the prompt with a defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning.
  • Group the sources (documents) based on similarities or connections.
  • Analyze the sources (documents) using the VIEW technique.

DBQ Question: How can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?

 

Documents

Document A: Excerpt from the Preamble of U.S. Constitution (1787)

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence[defense], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Tranquility: a state of peace and calm

Posterity: future generations of people
Analysis Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “We the People” suggest about the source of the Constitution’s power?
  2. Choose one of the six goals outlined in the preamble and describe it in your own words.

Document B: Excerpt from First Amendment (1787)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. establishment of religion: the act of officially creating or recognizing a religion (in this case, the government cannot establish a national religion)

abridging: limiting or reducing (in this case, limiting freedoms like speech or press)

redress: a way to set right or fix a problem

grievances: complaints
Analysis Questions:

  1. What are the two parts of the freedom of religion clause of the First Amendment?
  2. What are the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment?

Document C: Excerpt from Tenth Amendment (1787)

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

prohibited: not allowed

reserved: kept or set aside for a specific purpose
Analysis Questions:

  1. Who gets the powers not listed in the Constitution for the federal government?
  2. How might the Tenth Amendment cause tension between the state and federal governments?

Document D: Excerpt from Federalist #51, James Madison (1788)

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? 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. Ambition: determination to achieve or complete something

counteract: act against to cancel or balance out
Analysis Questions:

  1. How does this passage help explain why we have three branches of government?
  2. How does Madison use human nature to justify checks and balances?

Document E: Miranda v. Arizona (1966) – U.S. Supreme Court Decision

The prosecution may not use statements, whether exculpatory or inculpatory, stemming from custodial interrogation of the defendant unless it demonstrates the use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the privilege against self-incrimination. […] He must be warned prior to any questioning that he has the right to remain silent, that anything he says can be used against him in a court of law, that he has the right to the presence of an attorney, and that if he cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for him prior to any questioning if he so desires. prosecution: the legal team trying to prove someone is guilty in a criminal case

exculpatory: evidence or statements that show a person is not guilty of a crime

inculpatory: evidence or statements that suggest a person is guilty of a crime

custodial interrogation: questioning by police while a person is in custody (not free to leave)

procedural safeguards: legal protections to ensure fair treatment

self-incrimination: to not provide evidence against oneself

appointed: officially assigned or provided (in this case, a lawyer for someone who cannot afford one)
Analysis Questions:

  1. What rights must a suspect be informed of before being questioned by police?
  2. What happens if someone cannot afford an attorney?

Document F: Engel v. Vitale (1962) – U.S. Supreme Court Decision

It is neither sacrilegious nor anti-religious to say that each separate government in this country should stay out of the business of writing or sanctioning official prayers and leave that purely religious function to the people themselves and to those the people choose to look to for religious guidance. […] When the power, prestige, and financial support of government is placed behind a particular religious belief, the indirect coercive pressure upon religious minorities to conform to the prevailing officially approved religion is plain. sacrilegious: disrespectful toward religion or religious beliefs

sanctioning: officially approving or allowing something

coercive: using pressure or force to make someone do something
Analysis Questions:

  1. What is meant by “separate governments”?
  2. Why might government involvement in prayer be seen as a threat to religious freedom?