Familiar But Flawed
Lesson Plan
Learn how America's love-hate relationship with Great Britain's government showed up in the way the Founder's designed America's government. In this lesson, students take a close look at representation, voting, checks and balances, and the concept of a bill of rights as they learn about Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the British monarchy.
*Note: This lesson highlights British influences on American government. Combine this lesson with other lessons from Foundations of Government - High School to teach students about the many influences that impacted the writing of the U.S. Constitution.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Explain the influence of the British form of government in shaping the U.S. Constitution
Identify British documents that were influential in shaping the U.S. Constitution
Compare and contrast shared features of English and American government, including representation, voting, a bicameral legislature, a single executive, and a bill of rights
Analyze how America’s Founders incorporated and improved upon familiar British concepts to contain tyranny in favor of liberty
LESSON MATERIALS
Downloadable Resources
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