From Grievance to Government
Did colonial grievances influence the creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights?
In this lesson students investigate how colonial grievances expressed in the Declaration of Independence influenced protections later included in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Through primary source analysis and station activities, students examine specific grievances and connect them to constitutional protections designed to prevent abuses of government power. Students synthesize their learning by creating a one-page visual demonstrating how the experiences of the colonists helped shape a government designed to protect individual rights.
Objectives:
- Students will examine the Declaration of Independence and learn about the grievances included.
- Students will evaluate how the government derives power from the consent of the governed.
- Students will identify how the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights have been shaped by the Declaration of Independence.
Assessment:
- Students will answer the compelling questions with written responses (or orally, based on student needs).
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