2/1. Self-Evident Truths

1. 2/1. Self-Evident Truths Then and Now

2. Founding Documents • In a constitutional republic, these documents reflect the values and principles of the people. • What is the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States?

3. Vocabulary • Bicameral • Self-evident truths • Founding principles • Constitutional republic

4. 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 to abolish it, …………

5. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

6. Concepts are Found in History • England • Magna Carta • English Constitution • Colonial History • Mayflower Compact • Maryland Act of Toleration • Action of King George

7. Complete the Puzzle • Put together the Declaration of Independence with the pieces provided. • Pull out the following sections: • “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us” • “For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury” • “ He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power” • “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent”

8. Correlation • Read Article One: The Legislature • Read Article Two: The Executive • Read first three Amendments • Explain the correlation between the two documents.

9. Declaration of Independence

10. The Constitution of the US

11. Who are the Founding Fathers? • Benjamin Rush • John Hancock • John Jay • John Witherspoon • John Peter Muhlenberg • Charles Carroll • Jonathan Trumbull Sr.

12. What are the founding principles? • Form a T-Chart • With a partner, organize the cards under either the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution. • There should be six on both sides. • Do not write anything on your T-Chart until we have checked your work. • Everyone needs their own copy.

13. Identify the Founding Principle that Applies • Diversity of America – A Nation of Immigrants • American Revolution • Formulation of the U.S. Constitution • Abolitionist Movement / Emancipation Procl. • Women’s Suffrage Movement

14. American Mottos: E Pluribus Unum Latin meaning “One from many,” Proposed by founding fathers in 1776. Signifies the determination to forge one nation out of many states. It also points to the American goal of uniting people from many different backgrounds and beliefs.

15. American Mottos: In God We Trust Legislation in 1955 made the appearance of this phrase mandatory on all coins and paper currency . In 1956 it became the national motto. Challenged in the federal courts, the Supreme Court has refused to hear the case.

16. Under the U.S. Constitution, the government may not take private property unless - • The land required extensive restoration • The government determines that the land is critical to developers’ profits • The landowner refuses to build a home on the land • The government pays the owner fair compensation for the land.

17. Why did the US adopt the motto “In God We Trust “ in 1956? a. To honor the financial and societal contributions of various religious organizations • To distinguish the nation from countries that restricted religious practices c. To commemorate the social changes introduced by Christian leaders d. To encourage the growth of religious institutions throughout the country