Lesson
“A Glorious Liberty Document”: The U.S. Constitution and Its Principles
Guiding question
How are the republican principles of limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances reflected in the U.S. Constitution?
Objectives:
- Students will examine key republican principles found in the U.S. Constitution by analyzing James Madison’s writing in Federalist No. 51.
- Students will examine the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances by comparing the powers of the three branches of the national government.
Materials
Student Materials
- Background Essay: “A Glorious Liberty Document”: The U.S. Constitution and Its Principles
- Background Essay Graphic Organizer
- James Madison and Federalist No. 51
- The Battle of the Branches: Madison’s “Auxiliary Precautions”
- Excerpts from Baron de Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws (1748)
Teacher Resources
Lesson Components
Lesson plan
More Information
Facilitation Notes: Stronger readers can read the background essay and complete the graphic organizer as background/preparatory work. Students will consult Appendix A: Founding Principles and Civic Virtues Organizer and Appendix B: Being an American Unit Graphic Organizer from the first lesson in this curriculum.
Standards
Related materials
How are the republican principles of limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances reflected in the U.S. Constitution?
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