Content Area: Social Studies

 

Index: 6.2B Grade 12 CPI 1

 

Standard: 6.2 - Civics

 

Strand: B - American Values and Principles

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 1 -  The student will analyze major historical events and important ideas that led to and sustained the constitutional government of the United States, including the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Judiciary Act of 1789, the first Cabinet under George Washington, and Amendments 1-15.

 

Grade: 12

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        The study of the Federalist—Anti-Federalist debates teaches students that there was considerable disagreement and discussion among the American founders about the form that the government of the new nation should take and how much power to give to the central government and to the people. Students learn that there was support and opposition to the idea of a new constitution. Previously, there had been a loose confederation of colonies with no strong central government. This had led to many conflicts among the colonies. Students consider the arguments for and against the building of a strong central government. They see that these issues are still with us today and are as current as the latest dispute between a governor and the federal government. Through an understanding of the Federalist—Anti-Federalist debates, students will be able to see how the issues debated over 200 years ago continue to resonate in current political discourse with the continuing issues of states’ rights versus the power of the federal government.