Government

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=Role of Government= 1. Analyze the principles of self-government and natural rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence and their relationship to Enlightenment ideas. 2. Explain how political parties developed as a result of attempts to resolve issues in the early years of the United States including: a. Payment of debt; b. Establishment of a national bank; c. Strict or loose interpretation of the Constitution; d. Support for England or France.

=Rules and Laws= 3. Explain how events and issues demonstrated the need for a stronger form of governance in the early years of the United States: a. Shays's Rebellion b. Economic instability; c. Government under the Articles of Confederation. 4. Explain the political concepts expressed in the U.S. Constitution: a. Representative democracy; b. Federalism; c. Bicameralism; d. Separation of powers; e. Checks and balances. http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/power_grab_game/ The highest law of the land in the United States is the Constitution. This is why you spend so much time learning about it in school. This activity will increase your knowledge of the Constitution and it's fundamental ideas: checks and balances, separation of powers, Bill of Rights and amendments 5. Explain how the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of citizens, regulates the use of territory, manages conflict and establishes order and security. 6. Explain how specific provisions of the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, limit the powers of government in order to protect the rights of individuals with emphasis on: a. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition; b. Right to trial by jury and the right to counsel; c. Due process and equal protection of the laws. 7. Explain how the Northwest Ordinance established principles and procedures for the orderly expansion of the United States. 8. Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law. http://congress.indiana.edu/modules/Legislative_Process/main.htm The typical textbook description of the legislative process, though technically valid in some respects, is woefully inadequate in describing the fascinating, vibrant, often "messy" reality of how a bill becomes law. This module allows you to compare the typical textbook process with the more realistic "dynamic" process, and you will see how our untidy process has produced solid results.
 * U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game **
 * The Dynamic Legislative Process **