Download What did the Founders Think About Constitutional Government?

Bell Ringer
“Few of their children in the country learn English...
The signs in our streets have inscriptions in both
languages... Unless the stream of their
importation could be turned they will soon so
outnumber us that all the advantages we have
will not be able to preserve our language, and
even our government will become precarious.”
Who said this? About immigrants from what
country?
What did the Founders Think
About Constitutional
Government?
Mr. Szymanski
NCUHS
Vocabulary
Group 1
Constitution
Constitutional government
Democracy
Group 2
Forms of government
Limited government
Parliament
Group 3
Republic
Unwritten Constitution
Written Constitution
FRAYER MODEL
Definition (in own words)
Examples (from life)
Draw a picture
Non-examples (from life)
What were some characteristics of
colonial America?
- Physical distance (New York/Pennsylvania larger
than England/Scotland)
- Native people
- Diverse backgrounds (Puritans/Quakers,
French/Dutch/German/British)
- Differences in agriculture (scale/leisure/slavery)
- Self-reliance
Q: How would each of these shape opinions of
government?
How did the Founders learn about
Government?
• Experience w/ self-government in the
colonies
• Greek/Roman literature
• Enlightenment thinkers
What did the Founders learn about
Government?
Classical Philosophy
- Civic duty = highest good
- Democracy class warfare people
accept tyrants who offer security
Natural Rights
- People are born w/ right to “life, liberty,
property” & form society/government to
protect rights
What did the Founders learn about
Government?
British History
- Monarchy can become democracy if they
respect rights of citizens
American Colonial History
- Local self-government can co-exist with
central authority
What did the Founders learn about
Government?
*Government should be the servant, not the
master, of the people
*A fundamental higher law, or constitution
should limit government
Q: In a nation in which government is the
servant of the people, what obligations, if
any, do the people have to the
government?
From What Forms of Government
Could the Founders Choose?
Aristotle: Government
performs 3 functions
1. Legislative=make laws
2. Judicial=judge those who
break
3. Executive=carry out laws
From What Forms of Government
Could the Founders Choose?
3 Forms of Govt# who rule
Right form- ruled
by common
good
Corrupt form- ruled
by private
interest
Rule
Right
Corrupt
One
Monarchy
Tyranny
Few
Aristocracy Oligarchy
Many Polity
Democracy
From What Forms of Government
Could the Founders Choose?
Polybius/Cicero: promoted polity (mixed
government)
Montesquieu:
-argues for a separation of power
-England as a mixed Constitution:
a. limited monarchy
b. aristocracy (House of Lords)
c. democracy (House of Commons)
From What Forms of Government
Could the Founders Choose?
-British Parliament = representative govt.
Why not choose direct democracy?
- History shows failure
- Personal experience shows failure
Representative govt ensures that those who
govern are required to obey the law.
What is a constitution?
Constitution: a plan of government that sets
forth the structures and powers of
government.
Written Constitution: Controversy about
intent of words written long ago
Unwritten Constitution: combination of
previous written laws (Britain, Israel, NZ)
How did the Founders Characterize
Higher Law?
- Sets forth the basic rights of citizens
- Establishes the responsibility of the
government to protect those rights
- Establishes limitations on how those in
government may use their power
- It can be changed only with the consent of
the citizens and according to established
procedures
Critical Thinking Exercise
Students (Hamilton, Franklin, or Mason) will read
their quote on p.10, and answer, then ho-group
and share.
1. What view of human nature is expressed in
each of these statements?
2. If you agree with the views of human nature
expressed in these statements, what kind of
safeguards would you include in a
constitution?
3. Do you think the Founders’ concerns about
government are as valid today as they were in
the 1700s? Why or Why not?
What Do You Think?
Journal Response
Is it important that a constitution be written?
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of a written constitution?
Of an unwritten constitution?