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Lesson

Republican Government

Published
Nov 5, 2020
U.S. Capitol building with dome and columns under a blue sky. Flag visible on the building.
While many people today use the terms “republic” and “democracy” interchangeably, America’s Founders saw important differences between the two forms of government. Distrustful of democracies, they were skeptical about the protection of individual rights in a system that functioned simply by majority rule. The Framers of the United States Constitution instead crafted a constitutional republic based on majority rule but included structures to curb its excesses and protect essential liberty interests.

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Republican Government Video Viewing Guide
ActivityHandout B: Federalist No. 51
EssayEssay: Republican Government

While many people today use the terms “republic” and “democracy” interchangeably, America’s Founders saw important differences between the two forms of government. Distrustful of democracies, they were skeptical about the protection of individual rights in a system that functioned simply by majority rule. The Framers of the United States Constitution instead crafted a constitutional republic based on majority rule but included structures to curb its excesses and protect essential liberty interests.

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Lesson plan

  1. Republican Government Activity: Constitutional Principle Viewing Guide

    Have the students watch the Constitutional Principle Video on Republican Government. Students should complete Handout A: Republican Government Video Viewing Guide as they watch.

     

    Republican Government Activity: Federalist No. 51

    Students will read Handout B: Federalist No. 51 and review the United States Constitution. They will write a brief essay explaining how the Constitution promotes republican (or representative) government and why republican government was an important principle to the Founders.

Key Terms

checks and balances
liberty
consent of the governed
due process
Benjamin Franklin

Standards

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