“Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.”
― Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
Early history of the United States is filled with citizen activism, public debate, political compromise, and a common belief in the power of the people. It was not all rosy. Life in the colonies was harsh. Future division between ideals was evident even during the Constitutional Convention debates. The Founding Fathers (and Mothers), influenced heavily by Enlightenment philosophies, created a "more perfect union" founded on principles that upheld the ideas of natural, unalienable rights. Alexis de Tocqueville, in his Democracy in America work noted five values prevalent in the US and contributed to its uniqueness: liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire.
What to know for the EOC
- Analyze and evaluate the meaning and importance of founding documents: Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights
- Analyze and evaluate the application of the founding principles to historic events in US History [republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, individual rights, popular sovereignty, judicial review]
- Explain the contributions of Founding Fathers: Benjamin Rush, John Hancock, John Jay, John Witherspoon, John Peter Muhlenberg, Charles Carroll, Johnathan Trumbull
- Discuss de Tocqueville's five values crucial to America's constitutional republic: liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire
- Identify and analyze methods of expanding the right to participate in the democratic process
- Explain how participation in the democratic process reflects our national ethos, patriotism,and civic responsibility
- Discuss the meaning and historic significance of the mottos "E Pluribus Unum" and "In God We Trust"
Review Resources
- Revolution Quiz
- PBS game about historic figures and eras
- Law Related Education Learning games related to U.S. founding documents
- Recognizing the Founding Fathers?
- Constitution Facts
- Bill of Rights activities
- iCivics Branches of Power Game
- Library of Congress Creating the United States Exhibit
- National Archives Charters of Freedom
- Constitution Center Which Founder are You?
- Constitution Center Explore the Constitution