The student will demonstrate knowledge of the issues involved in the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution and how the principles of limited government, consent of the governed, and the social contract are embodied in it by
- Explaining the origins of the Constitution, including the Articles of Confederation;
- Examining the significance of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in the framing of the Bill of Rights;
- Identifying the major compromises necessary to produce the Constitution, and the role of James Madison and George Washington;
- Describing the conflict over ratification, including the Bill of Rights and the arguments of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
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- What were the political, social, and economic consequences of the American Revolution?
- What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
- What issues and events led to the writing of the United States Constitution?
- What major compromises were achieved during the Constitutional Convention?
- What are the major components of the national government?
- What is the Bill of Rights and what is its significance in United States History?
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NOTE: Red Bolded content in the indicators is considered essential and must be taught in all classrooms. Content which is not bolded goes beyond the scope and sequence of the state standards.
Benchmark 5.1: The student will evaluate the social, political, economic, and cultural effects of the Revolution.
5.1 Performance Indicators
Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:
- Analyze the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783) and how they affected United States relations with Native Americans and European powers that held territories in North America.
- Assess the accomplishments and failures of the Second Continental Congress.
- Analyze the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
- Assess the importance of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
- Analyze the causes and effects of Shays’ Rebellion.
- Explain how the revolutionary ideals impacted the enslaved and free African Americans and lead to the gradual abolition of slavery in the United States.
- Analyze the ideas put forth arguing for new women’s roles and rights and explain the customs of the 18th Century that limited women’s aspirations and achievements.
Benchmark 5.2: The student analyzes and explains events and legacies of the Constitutional Era.
5.2 Performance Indicators
Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:
- Interpret and analyze the importance of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, and the new constitutions in Virginia and the other states.
- Discuss the issues, policies, and events affecting relations among the existing and future states that led to the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution.
- Analyze important Constitutional debates and compromises in the struggle for ratification including the Great (Connecticut) Compromise, 3/5 Compromise, The Federalist Papers, the addition of the Bill of Rights, and the leadership of James Madison and George Washington.
- Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and United States Constitution, with particular consideration to the Whiskey Rebellion.
- Describe the organization of the national government under the new Constitution (three co-equal branches/separation of powers, bicameral legislature, checks and balances, limited government).
Benchmark 5.3: The student understands the guarantees of the Bill of Rights and its continuing significance.
5.3 Performance Indicators
Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:
- Evaluate the arguments over the necessity of the Bill of Rights.
- Identify the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
- Assess the significance of the Bill of Rights.
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