The Preamble

The Preamble Explained

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, 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.

◦ Brainstorm ideas for rewriting the US Constitution's Preamble, identifying two ongoing problems plaguing the US federal government

◦ Use at least one of our 4 philosopher’s ideas in your new Preamble

◦ Be sure to identify and provide a realistic solution for the two specific problems that you believe the US federal government can and should handle for the good of all Americans

Influencing U.S. Democracy: Enlightenment Thinkers

Activity: Working with a partner, you will be tasked with gathering information about one of 4 Enlightenment Thinkers and the ideas they contributed to the development of American government. Then, taking on the persona of your assigned philosopher, you will draft a speech to be made to the class in which you convey that philosopher’s ideas and beliefs. Use this sheet to document your cooperative efforts.

Assigned Enlightenment Thinker:

Part I: Gathering Information—use your textbook and given handouts to answer the questions below.

Background Information:

Where was the philosopher born?

What was his upbringing?

What was his job?

Where did he study?

What book(s) did he write?

Philosophical Ideas:

What influences contributed to this thinker’s ideas?

Did this philosopher believe people could govern themselves?

Is humankind good or bad (according to him)?

Beliefs in Government:

What did this thinker believe is the best form of government?

Did this thinker contribute any new political ideas?

Part II: Compose a Speech—compose a 2 minute speech introducing your philosopher. Your speech should:

        ____        Include a brief biography

        ____        Cover the thinker’s philosophy on Government/basic beliefs

        ____        Be presented in a clear and concise fashion

OR

        Write a Letter - write a letter, taking on the persona of your philosopher, to Thomas Jefferson in which you:

        ____     Include a brief biography

        ____     Provide advice on how American government should be structured

Part III: Closure—Typing your response below, respond to the following essay prompt as a pair to reflect on the contributions of all 4 philosophers to the development of American government:

The U.S. Constitution was influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment Thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. Select two philosophers. Describe and compare the ideas they contributed to the development of American democracy.

Answer the following questions

Influencing U.S. Democracy: Enlightenment Thinkers

Activity: Working with a partner, you will be tasked with gathering information about one of 4 Enlightenment Thinkers and the ideas they contributed to the development of American government. Then, taking on the persona of your assigned philosopher, you will draft a speech to be made to the class in which you convey that philosopher’s ideas and beliefs. Use this sheet to document your cooperative efforts.

Assigned Enlightenment Thinker:

Part I: Gathering Information—use your textbook and given handouts to answer the questions below.

Background Information:

1. Where was the philosopher born?

2. What was his upbringing?

3. What was his job?

4. Where did he study?

5. What book(s) did he write?

Philosophical Ideas:

6. What influences contributed to this thinker’s ideas?

7. Did this philosopher believe people could govern themselves?

8.Is humankind good or bad (according to him)?

Beliefs in Government:

9. What did this thinker believe is the best form of government?

10. Did this thinker contribute any new political ideas?

Part II: Compose a Speech—compose a 2 minute speech introducing your philosopher. Your speech should:

____ Include a brief biography

____ Cover the thinker’s philosophy on Government/basic beliefs

____ Be presented in a clear and concise fashion

OR

Write a Letter - write a letter, taking on the persona of your philosopher, to Thomas Jefferson in which you:

____ Include a brief biography

____ Provide advice on how American government should be structured

Part III: Closure—Typing your response below, respond to the following essay prompt as a pair to reflect on the contributions of all 4 philosophers to the development of American government:

The U.S. Constitution was influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment Thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. Select two philosophers. Describe and compare the ideas they contributed to the development of American democracy.

Part I: Government Systems—Read Chapter 1 section 2 in the textbook and/or locate the supplemental reading on government systems and complete the following chart.

What is the description of federal government?

What is the advantages of federal government?

What is the disadvantages of federal government?

What is the example of federal government?