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Lesson

Rule of Law

Guiding question

What is rule of law and why is it essential to the promotion of liberty?

Duration
95 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
George Washington addressing the Continental Congress with military leaders in a historic meeting.
The benefits of freedom are safest when officials cannot make arbitrary and unpredictable laws. The rule of law means that laws are stable, limited in scope, and applied to every citizen, including those who make them. Laws must be created in the open, according to clear rules, and must reflect the consent of the governed. Ultimately, the rule of law depends on people with the courage, self-reliance, and wisdom to make prudent decisions, and who have enough tolerance for others to let them live as they see fit.

Founding Principles

Rule of Law, Liberty, Natural/Inalienable Rights

Guiding Questions

  • What is rule of law and why is it essential to the promotion of liberty?
  • What protections are included in the Bill of Rights, and why is each necessary to the promotion of liberty?

Objectives

  • Students will understand the concept of the rule of law.
  • Students will explain how the idea of rule of law influenced the design of our Government.
  • Students will apply the principle of rule of law.

Materials

Educator Resources:

Student Handouts

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Excerpts from Federalist No 62
ActivityHandout B: Quotes about Rule of Law
ActivityHandout C: The Bill of Rights
ActivityHandout D: Analysis of Amendments 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
ActivityHandout E: Examples of Search and Seizure Cases
ActivityHandout F: Cruel and Unusual Punishment?
EssayEssay: Rule of Law

The benefits of freedom are safest when officials cannot make arbitrary and unpredictable laws. The rule of law means that laws are stable, limited in scope, and applied to every citizen, including those who make them. Laws must be created in the open, according to clear rules, and must reflect the consent of the governed. Ultimately, the rule of law depends on people with the courage, self-reliance, and wisdom to make prudent decisions, and who have enough tolerance for others to let them live as they see fit.

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Lesson plan

95 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

John Adams
rule of law
liberty
tyrannical
Founders

Standards

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Related materials

Image depicting a gavel with a blurred background of legal books, titled "Constitutional Principles: Rule of Law."
VideoConstitutional Principles: The Rule of Law

Do you understand why the rule of law is important for maintaining free society? The Bill of Rights Institute has created a short, engaging video for Bill of Rights Day on the constitutional principle of the rule of law. Exciting visuals from current events, an engaging historical narrative, brief scholar interviews, and memorable quotes will make this 8-minute video perfect for use on Bill of Rights Day, and every day!