Bellringer
Answer the following questions and prepare to discuss.
1. What do you think about how our government is set up?
2. Does it (our government) protect you?
3. Who does it give power to?
Unit 1 Compelling Question:
What are the foundations of our government/political system?
Lesson 1 Supporting Question:
What were the Founding Fathers thinking when creating our government?
Context for the Unit
We are free! We beat the British and have now won our independence. The colonies are now their own country and we can govern ourselves as free citizens and not servants of King George. Well as founders we better start laying the foundations for our new country, the United States of America. Where do we begin?!?
• First, What do we know about government?
• Second, What type of government do we chose?
• Third, What do we not want our government to become?
What do we know about government?
• Thomas HobbesWhat does he say about government and the people?The government has the rights and the power. The people have no rights because they are stupid, ignorant and don’t know what is best for themselves.What government does he favor?Monarchy, Dictatorship- a ruler makes all the decisions for their people.• John LockeWhat does he say about government and the people?Both are dependent on another. They need each other. People need protection for their rights and the government needs the people.What government does he favor?Democracy
Remember Last Class?
Please respond to the following questions.
What is the Social Contract?An agreement between the people and the government that limits the rights and duties of each.
What did Thomas Hobbes think about government and its people?Government has all the power and the people have none. Why? The people cant take care of themselves, so they need a ruler.
What did John Locke think about government and its people?Both are dependent on one another. People need government to protect rights. The government can not exist without the people.
What type of government do we chose?
• Theocracy
God is the ruler.
A person on Earth that has direct relationship with God is appointed by God to be ruler.
Ex. The Vatican City
• Monarchy
A King or Queen
Gains power through inheritance. Two types Constitutional (limited government) and Absolute (does not follow constitution)
Ex. England= Constitutional Monarchy
• Dictatorship
One person is in charge-strict obedience
Often gains power through force and military dominance.
Non-democratic-there are no individual freedoms
Dictator-Hitler, Sadam Hussein, Kim Jong Un ( North Korea)
• Democracy
Government that is run by the people
People gain power in a democracy.
Types: Direct ( people make the decisions) or Representative ( people elect someone to make the decisions)
Example: USA (Representative Democracy)
• Oligarchy
A small group of elite people are in charge of the government
Can be corrupt or not
Sparta in Greece
What do we not want our government to become?
Founding Fathers Fear Quotes Worksheet:
Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, & George Mason
Ruled by a King/Dictator
Government completed controlled by The People
In the hands of Human Nature (Wanting Power)
Unit 1 Compelling Question:
What are the foundations of our government/political system?
Supporting Question
What ideas did the Founder’s take from the British?
Ideas from the British
What is Parliament?
We the People p.28-Read the following passage:
“How Did Parliamentary Government in England Begin?”
Does this sound familiar?
Surprise
Influential Documents for the Founders
• John Locke’s Two Treaties on Government
• Magna Carta
• English Bill of Rights
Ideas from the British
John Locke’s Two Treaties on Government
What did it give the Founders?
Declaration of Independence
Purpose of a Democratic Government
Ideas from the British
Magna Carta
What did it give the Founders?
Rule of Law- everyone must obey the law, even the rulers or the government
Limited Government
Government by agreement
Ideas from the British
English Bill of Rights
What did it give the Founders?
The English system of Constitutional Government
US Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights
Unit 1 Compelling Question:
What are the foundations of our government/political system?
Supporting Question
What is the Citizen’s role/purpose in the Founding Father’s new government?
BellringerRespond to the following questions in 2-3 sentences and be prepared to discuss.
As a citizen of the United States what do you think your job is as a citizen?
What are you suppose to do for your country?
Does the country “owe” you something as a citizen?
The Common Good and Civic Virtue
Common Good: the good of the community, as compared to the private interests that may conflict with public interests
Civic Virtue: the dedication of citizens to do good of their country, even at the cost of their own interests.
Is there someone in your life that you can say has civic virtue? Someone who sacrifices themselves for others?
Cincinnatus
Civic Virtue (Rome) vs. Natural Rights (John Locke)For the rest of the day I want you to respond to the following question:
“ As a citizen of the United States, can we still practice civic virtue while maintaining our inalienable/individual rights?”
In order to answer this question fully you need to:
First, explain what Civic Virtue is and give an example of what it is to practice Civic Virtue.
Second, identify what John Locke called our inalienable/individual rights and what he thought was the purpose of government.
Third, State which you believe is more important to our government, Civic Virtue or Protecting our Individual Rights?
Bellringer 8/24
Respond to the following questions in 2-3 sentences and be prepared to discuss.
Which do you believe is the most important to our government, civic virtue or protecting our individual rights?
Do you think that we can still practice civic virtue while maintaining our individual rights?
