AP US Government & Politics – Nichols

Unit 2 - Constitutional Underpinnings

  • The Constitution

Constitutional Underpinnings (College Board)

The study of modern politics in the United States requires students to examine the kind of government established by the Constitution, paying particular attention to federalism, the separation of powers, and checks and balances. Understanding these developments involves both knowledge of the historical situation at the time of the Constitutional Convention and an awareness of the ideological and philosophical traditions on which the framers drew. Such understanding addresses specific concerns of the framers: for example, why did Madison fear factions? What were the reasons for the swift adoption of the Bill of Rights? Familiarity with the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of key provisions of the Constitution will aid student understanding of theoretical and practical features of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Students should be familiar with a variety of theoretical perspectives relating to the Constitution, such as democratic theory, theories of republican government, pluralism, and elitism.

Georgia Performance Standards – Note that many of the standards weave a thread throughout the entire course; enumerated below are the standards that are most directly linked to this unit of study.

SSCG3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution.

SSCG4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government.

SSCG5 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the federal system of government described in the United States Constitution.

SSCG17 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of state & local government described in the Georgia Constitution.

SSCGRC1 Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas

Map and Globe Skills: The student will use maps to retrieve social studies information. In grades 9-12 students will continue to apply and improve skills mastered in the lower grades.

Information Processing Skills Goal: The student will be able to locate, analyze, and synthesize information related to social studies topics and apply this information to solve problems/make decisions. In grades 9-12 students will continue to apply and improve skills mastered in the lower grades.

Information Sources / Materials

O’Connor and Sabato: Chapter 2; Chapter 3 pgs 95-103

The Constitution

Constitution Assignment (summer assignment)

Articles of Confederation (reference)

Essential Questions

  • Note that this subunit overlaps with that of “Constitutional History”
  • How is the Constitution a reflection of a combination of historical, social, and political circumstances and events?
  • The lengthy evolution of representative government in Great Britain.
  • America’s heritage as a British colony
  • Problems the young nation faced after the Revolution
  • The conflicts waged and the compromises offered at the Constitutional Convention of 1787
  • The struggle over ratification
  • What are the five basic principles embodied in the Constitution?
  • Popular sovereignty and representative government, tempered by indirect election; limited government; separation of powers and checks and balances; federalism; judicial review.
  • What are the specifics of the preamble and each of the seven (7) articles and twenty-seven (27) amendments?

Key Terms

Know the ConstitutionKnow the ConstitutionKnow the Constitution

Know the ConstitutionKnow the ConstitutionKnow the Constitution

Know the ConstitutionKnow the ConstitutionKnow the Constitution

Additional Notes