A More Perfect Union: American Independence and the Constitution
Printed Curriculum [$20]
Downloadable Curriculum [$16]
Classroom Set [$9.75ea] (10 min)
Fifth edition.
Overview
What powers should government have over its citizens? What should we as citizens do if we believe that the government has overstepped the bounds of its legitimate authority? How should political power and responsibility be divided among the federal, state, and local levels of governments? How sound is the political judgment of the American electorate?
As we enter the 21st century, these questions are at the top of our nation's public agenda. More than 200 years ago, they occupied much the same position in the formative years of the American republic. In A More Perfect Union: American Independence and the Constitution students will revisit the events and controversies of 1763-88 to gain a deeper understanding of the political climate of the era and the values that contributed to America's political foundation. In exploring the parallels between the debates of 1776 and 1788 and our country's current political discourse, students will gain an insight into many of the issues that define our own age.
Readings
The background reading in A More Perfect Union:American Independence and the Constitution has been written to place students in the context of the late 1700s as they prepare to consider the policy debate surrounding the American struggle for independence. The unit relies heavily on primary sources, such as speeches, letters, newspaper articles and editorials, and political cartoons.
- Part I examines Britain's colonialization of North America and the factors shaping colonial society.
- Part II examines the points of contention that drew the colonies away from the mother country after the French and Indian War. An optional reading reviews the course of the American War for Independence.
- Part III explores the principles and shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.
- Part IV considers the economic divisions emerging in the young American republic and the forces supporting the call for the Constitutional Convention.
- Part V probes the most controversial sections of the constitution proposed in 1787.
- Part VI reviews the evolution of the U.S. Constitution's scope and meaning over the past two centuries.
Framework of Policy Options
A More Perfect Union: American Independence and the Constitution contains two sets of policy directions, or options. The first set focuses on the debate surrounding the American rebellion from the mother country at the early stages of the War for Independence. The second set of options revolves around the ratification of the proposed constitution in 1787.
The options are central to the Choices approach and are common to all Choices curricular materials. Each option is grounded in a clearly defined philosophy about the nature of government and the threats and opportunities facing an independent American republic. By exploring a broad spectrum of alternatives, students gain a deeper understanding of the competing values and assumptions that framed the debates of the late 1700s.
Ultimately, the intent is to help students clarify their thoughts about the origins of the American experiment, articulate their own views on the role of government, and apply the lessons of history to the challenges facing Americans today.
Suggested Ten-Day Lesson Plan
The Teacher's Resource Book accompanying A More Perfect Union: American Independence and the Constitution contains a day-by-day lesson plan and student activities.
- Days One and Two focus on fundamental questions about the purpose of government and the rights and responsibilities of individuals.
- Days Three and Four engage students in a two-day simulation that places students in the context of American colonists in February 1776.
- Day Five examines the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.
- Day Six asks students to analyze the most controversial issues of the Constitutional Convention.
- Days Seven and Eight engages students in a two-day simulation set in February 1788 on the ratification of the proposed constitution.
- Day Nine asks students to look back at America's early political development from a historian's perspective.
- Day Ten gives students an opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution and propose revisions of their own.
- The unit includes an optional lesson on the process of democratization during the early decades of the American republic.