Skip to Main Content

Lesson

The Civil War to 1910: The Golden Age of Parties

Duration
105 min
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Historic black-and-white photo of a large crowd at the U.S. Capitol, adorned with flags and bunting.
With the defeat of the Confederate States of America in 1865, the victorious Union faced the question of how to rebuild a single nation. Congress and the Democratic Party were tainted by their association with “Copperheads,” who had sought peace at the price of recognizing the Confederacy as a sovereign nation. For this reason, the powers of both Congress and the Democratic Party were at their lowest point, and the Republicans and their president reigned supreme. After President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the new president, Andrew Johnson, controversially attempted to allow the former Confederate States’ representatives to take their seats in Congress. This move outraged the populace of the North and West. Not only were former Confederate rebels returning to Congress, but these states would have even greater representation and power, as the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment allowed the Southern states to count their massive African American populations in full for the first time in their history.

Founding Principles

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances

Objectives

  • Students will examine the major events that shaped the methods and acts of Congress as they responded to a rapidly-changing political and economic landscape.
  • Students will take an in-depth look at the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson, and analyze Congress’s power of impeachment.
  • Students will analyze the separation of powers among the three branches, and understand how that balance is maintained in the Constitution.

Materials

Student Handouts

Teacher Resources

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: The Golden Ages of Parties – The Civil War to 1910
ActivityHandout B: The Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson
ActivityHandout C: Excerpts from the Articles of Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Sign in as an educator to view teacher materialsSign in →

Lesson plan

105 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

Speaker of the House
Political party
Caucus
Disappearing quorum
Thomas B. Reed

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

Related materials

Gavel in front of blurred law books with text: "Constitutional Principles: Separation of Powers." Bill of Rights Institute.
VideoConstitutional Principles: Separation of Powers

What is separation of powers? The US Constitution describes separation of powers throughout the first 10 amendments. Do you understand why separation of powers is important for protecting our freedom? This short, engaging video focuses on the constitutional principle of separation of powers. Clear definitions and graphics, an engaging historical narrative, brief scholar interviews, and memorable quotes will make this 6-minute video perfect for use any time of the year!

The exterior of a neoclassical building with tall columns and steps, under a blue sky.
LessonSeparation of Powers with Checks and Balances

The Founders understood the principle expressed by the British historian, Lord Acton, “All power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Through the complex system of checks and balances developed in the U.S. Constitution, they sought to assure that no person or branch of government could exercise unrestrained power. As James Madison advocated in Federalist No. 51, ambition should counteract ambition in a fashion that advances the public good.

Former U.S. President Nixon toasts with Chinese leader Zhou Enlai at a formal dinner.
LessonInternational Relations and the Constitutional Separation of Powers

In 1787 the Constitution granted significant new powers to the central government, including those traditionally held by sovereign nations. In response to Anti-Federalist concerns about a too-powerful central government, James Madison explained that the new system of government was designed to work with human nature.

U.S. Capitol building under a clear sky, featuring a dome and classical architectural details.
LessonWar and Constitutional Separation of Powers

The U.S. Constitution divides war powers between the president and Congress. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were focused on creating a government powerful enough to protect liberty, but not so powerful that it would threaten liberty. They worked carefully to craft the war powers of the new government, knowing that history was full of examples of war, so that war powers were necessary, but also of rulers who had abused the power and endangered liberty in order to make war.

Curriculum overview for "The First Branch: Congress & The Constitution" by the Bill of Rights Institute.
VideoThe First Branch: Congress and the Constitution

Congress, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the U.S. Constitution. What does the Constitution not do? How did the Founders intend the legislative branch of government to operate? Through primary source analysis students will examine the purpose of a legislature, the design of the U.S Congress, its powers, its history and the reality of how Congress works today in relation to the American Constitution.