The revolutionary generation formulated the political philosophy and laid the institutional foundations for the system of government under which Americans live. New political ideas about the relationship between people and their government helped to justify the Declaration of Independence. Essential Knowledge | The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was inspired by ideas concerning natural rights and political authority that laid the institutional foundations for the system of government that ultimately unified the American people. The eventual draft of the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, reflected the ideas of John Locke and Thomas Paine. Locke’s writings on “natural rights,” “social contract,” “ordered liberty,” and “consent of the governed” were incorporated when Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government…” Paine’s Common Sense challenged the rule of the American colonies by the King of England. It was read by many American colonists and contributed to the growing sentiment for independence from Great Britain. Jefferson incorporated into the Declaration of Independence many of the grievances against the King of England that Paine had outlined in Common Sense. STANDARD VUS.5a The student will apply social science skills to understand the development of the American political system by a) examining founding documents to explore the development of American constitutional government, with emphasis on the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in the framing of the Bill of Rights; Essential Understandings American political leaders wrote a series of documents intended to provide an effective system of government based on republican principles. Essential Knowledge The Articles of Confederation American political leaders, fearful of a powerful central government like Britain’s, created a weak national system of government. Significant powers given to the states ultimately made the national government ineffective. The Articles of Confederation provided for a weak national government gave Congress no power to tax or regulate commerce among the states
Robert E. Lee Confederate general of the Army of Northern Virginia Opposed secession, but did not believe the Union should be held together by force Frederick Douglass Former enslaved African American Became a prominent abolitionist Urged Lincoln to recruit former enslaved African Americans to fight in the Union army STANDARD VUS.7b The student will apply social science skills to understand the Civil War and Reconstruction eras and their significance as major turning points in American history by b) evaluating and explaining the significance and development of Abraham Lincoln’s leadership and political statements, including the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation and the principles outlined in the Gettysburg Address; Essential Understandings Abraham Lincoln’s vision of the United States as a nation and democratic society was evident in his speeches and political decrees. Essential Knowledge Abraham Lincoln’s leadership Believed secession was an illegal act and that the United States was a “nation,” not a collection of sovereign states; Southerners believed the states had freely joined the Union and could freely leave First Inaugural Address: “In your hands my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war…” Initial goal: Preserve the Union Later goal: End slavery and expand citizenship Emancipation Proclamation Developed after enslaved African Americans given asylum at Fort Monroe were declared “contraband of war” Freed those slaves located in the “rebelling” states (Southern states that had seceded) Made the abolition of slavery a Northern war aim Discouraged any interference of foreign governments Allowed for the enlistment of African American soldiers in the Union Army Gettysburg Address Lincoln described the Civil War as a struggle to preserve a nation that was dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal” and that was ruled by a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
STANDARD VUS.13g The student will apply social science skills to understand the social, political, and cultural movements and changes in the United States during the second half of the twentieth century by g) evaluating and explaining the changes that occurred in American culture. Essential Understandings During the second half of the twentieth century, American society experienced a variety of cultural changes. Essential Knowledge Expansion of popular culture The invention of the television became the main mode of media for news, entertainment, and cultural trends of the post-World War II era Introduction of new genres of music, including Rock and Roll, Disco, and Hip-Hop The expansion of popular culture led to conflict between opposing cultural views More occupations opened up to women during the twentieth century, changing their role, concerns, and influence: An increasingly large percentage of America’s labor force Women in nontraditional jobs Role of courts in providing opportunities Need for affordable day care Equitable pay “Glass ceiling” (perception that career advancement for women is not equal to men) Influence and effect of the Internet and social media allowing people to share information worldwide STANDARD VUS.14a The student will apply social science skills to understand political and social conditions in the United States during the early twenty-first century by a) assessing the development of and changes in domestic policies, with emphasis on the impact of the role the United States Supreme Court played in defining a constitutional right to privacy, affirming equal rights, and upholding the rule of law; Essential Understandings Changes in domestic policies and in political and social conditions have impacted the role and membership of the United States Supreme Court.