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What are the roots of American democracy?
American Government is a blend of old world ideas and colonial experiences. The unique qualities of the American political system were inspired by European events and ideas as well as it's colonial experiences. These events and ideas illustrated to American leaders why it is often desirable for government power to be limited. However, our "Founding Fathers" also learned that taking away too much power from government was problematic and that a political system needed to be strong enough to be effective. The evolution of American democracy involved a significant amount of trial and error. The political tribulations that currentlyexist regarding the roles of our government have always been an integral part of American democracy.Class NotesClass Activities-
Direct Democracy- Ancient Athens- https://www.ushistory.org/civ/5b.asp
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Representative Democracy- Ancient Rome- https://www.ushistory.org/civ/6a.asp
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Magna Carta http://www.history.com/topics/magna-carta
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English Bill of Rights- People's Rights Codified for the First Time
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European Enlightenment (Rousseau, Locke, Voltaire, Hobbes, Smith, Montesquieu)
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The Mayflower Compact http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/homework-help/mayflower-and-mayflower-compactM.C. Song! History Channel Song textbook p. 18-19
- 1619- The beginning of American Slavery- The New York Times 1619 Project
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Virginia House of Burgesses http://www.ushistory.org/us/2f.asp
- Bacon's Rebellion- How this conflict between Virginians ;ed to a Black/White Caste System in Colonial America
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New England Town Meetings
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Salem Witch Trials http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/
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Peter Zenger Trial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab8lPjHIkoI textbook p. 32
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French and Indian War http://www.pbs.org/thewarthatmadeamerica/timeline.html Textbook p.40-43
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Albany Plan of Union Textbook p, 42-43
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The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy http://www.peacecouncil.net/NOON/government.htm textbook p.9
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Mercantilism
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Proclamation Line of 1763- texbook p. 44-45
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Sugar Act textbook p. 44-45
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Stamp Act/ Stamp Act Congress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QParA8h9UY4&list=PLMZhrNNj_z5tnKucoERFbWHB1zPoCHvYG&index=1
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Townsend Act p. 46
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Boston Massacre p. 46-47
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Tea Act/ Boston Tea Party http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/ p.50
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The Intolerable Acts p. 50- 52
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The Continental Congress/ Olive Branch Petition p. 55
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Battles of Lexington and Concord p. 53
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"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine p. 57
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"The Declaration of Independence" Thomas Jeffersonp. 58-64
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The Articles of Confederation (structure, accomplishments, weaknesses) https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-3/articles-of-confederation-ush-lesson/a/challenges-of-the-articles-of-confederation-article p. 81-86
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Shay's Rebellion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ImIEcsTEVo p. 87
Essential Questions and Tasks-
How did the Puritans attempt to rule themselves when they first inhabited Plymouth?
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In what way did Peter Zenger shape American democracy?
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Why did American colonists begin to resist British rule during the 1760s?
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Which events immediately preceeded the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
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When should government power be challenged? What should such challenges loook like?
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Why are the "Articles of Confederation" considered a failure?
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What political lessons can be learned from America's birth?
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If you were starting a new democratic nation which ideas and events from America's start would you incorporate?
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Last Modified on September 24, 2020
