Overview
The Constitution grants specific powers to Congress, the presidency, and the courts, each of which More than 200 years after the U.S. Constitution was ratified, the compromises that were necessary for ratification—which in some instances led to ambiguity—continue to fuel debate and discussion over how best to protect liberty, equality, order, and private property. This first unit sets the foundation for the course by examining how the framers of the Constitution set up a structure of government intended to stand the test of time. Compromises were made during the Constitutional Convention and ratification debates, and these compromises focused on the proper balance between individual freedom, social order, and equality of opportunity. In subsequent units, students will apply their understanding of the Constitution to the institutions of government and people’s daily lives.
Study Guide
Unit 1 Study Guide
Textbook
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 3
Court Cases
Engle v Vitale
Wisconsin v Yoder
Schenck v United States
Tinker v Des Moines
New York Times v United States
McDonald v Chicago
Gideon v Wainwright
Roe v Wade
Brown v Board of Education
Documents
US Constitution
Bill of Rights
Letter from a Birmingham Jail