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Video

The U.S. Constitution
Learning Objective: 2-2: Explain how the challenges of collective action under the Articles of Confederation undermined early American independence.

 

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways did the Articles of Confederation have high transaction costs?
2. Using the collective action issues presented in Chapter 1 (prisoners dilemma, free rider problem, and tragedy of the commons) describe the issues the newly created states were having under the Articles of Confederation.
3. Why was the federal government given so little power under the Articles of Confederation? What was this meant to do regarding conformity costs?

Separation of Powers System
Learning Objective: 2-3: Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution.

Questions to Consider:

1. Why must members of Congress consider the President’s preferences when crafting legislation?
2. What powers does the Constitution grant Congress to reign in the President’s power?
3. How does the judiciary serve as a check on the legislative and executive branches?

Are We to Be a Nation?
Learning Objective: 2-3: Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution; 2-4: Discuss the debates over ratification of the Constitution.

Questions to consider:

1. What event triggered a fear of mob rule in the minds of the wealthy landowners in the American states after the revolution?
2. What was the original intent of the convention that was called to meet in Philadelphia?
3. What were the opponents to the proposed Constitution called and what was their main concern? Identify one person that was in this group
4. What was finally included to satisfy demands of the group that initially opposed the proposed Constitution?

Federalist No.10
Learning Objective: 2-5: Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution.

Federalist No. 51
Learning Objective: 2-5: Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution.

Taxation Without Representation
Learning Objective: 2-6: Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders' goals.

Questions to consider:

1. The concept of “taxation without representation” was one of the driving principles of the American Revolution. Because of its classification as a “federal city” Washington D.C. does not belong to a state. As such, the 650,000 residents of the district do not get to elect senators or a voting member to the House of Representatives. After viewing the video, what do you think? Should Washington D.C. be made a state?

Obama Vetoes the Keystone XL Pipeline
Learning Objective: 2-6: Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders' goals.
 

Questions to consider:

1. What option does Congress have to respond to President Obama’s veto of the Keystone XL pipeline?

 

Web Resources

Summaries and Analysis of the Federalists Papers
Learning Objective: 2-5: Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution.

The National Constitution Center
Learning Objective(s): 2-3: Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution; 2-4: Discuss the debates over ratification of the Constitution; 2-5: Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution; 2-6: Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders’ goals.

The National Constitution Center offers a comprehensive interactive website that allows students to examine the Constitution by specific Articles, Amendments, and even issue areas. The website also includes links of a host of multimedia resources such as videos and podcasts.

Teaching American History Website
Learning Objective(s): 2-1: Describe how the colonies’ experience in self-government contributed to their willingness to revolt; 2-2: Explain how the challenges of collective action under the Articles of Confederation undermined early American independence.

The Teaching American History website provides a wealth of supplemental materials on the Constitutional Convention, the debate between the Federalists and Antifederalists, ratification, and the Bill of Rights.