Chapter 7, Section 3 A New Plan of Government (pages 207-213) Setting a Purpose for Reading Think about these questions as you read: What are the roots of the Constitution? How did the Constitution limit the power of government? As you read pages 207 213 in your textbook, complete this graphic organizer by explaining how the system of checks and balances works. Has check over which branches of government: Example President Congress Supreme Court As you read, place the following events on the time line: Locke s Two Treatises on Civil Government is published Montesquieu writes The Spirit of Laws English Bill of Rights protects the people s rights Constitutional Convention assembles in Philadelphia 1680 1720 1760 1800 Chapter 7, Section 3 109
Roots of the Constitution (pages 207 208) Complete this outline as you read the lesson. The first subsection has been done for you. I. Careful Study A. European political development B. Attitudes toward British traditions II. British System of Government A. B. C. D. Read the following sentences. Choose the correct term from this lesson to complete the sentence by circling the term. 1. The (Magna Carta, Bill of Rights) placed limits on the power of English kings back in 1215. The Federal System (pages 208 209) 2. The Constitution was based on many political ideas that came from the movement called the (Enlightenment, Reformation). 3. One idea that became part of the Constitution was that all people had certain (human rights, natural rights). Reread each subsection and list two key facts from each. 110 Chapter 7, Section 3
Define or describe federalism, a term from this lesson. federalism The Organization of Government (pages 209 211) As you read the lesson, give examples of the powers of the three branches of the federal government. Match the term from this lesson in the left column with the correct definition or description in the right column by writing the letter in the space to the left of the term. 1. articles 2. checks and balances 3. Electoral College 4. executive branch 5. judicial branch 6. legislative branch a. group that chooses the president and vice president b. Congress c. led by president d. Supreme Court and other courts set up by Congress e. parts of the Constitution f. state governments g. system that balances power within the government h. system that protects rights of individuals Chapter 7, Section 3 111
The Constitutional Debate (pages 211 212) Answer the following questions to compare the Federalists and the Antifederalists. 1. How well organized were the two groups? 2. What were the chief fears of each side? What did each side want as a way of preventing those fears from coming true? Define or describe the following key terms from this lesson. Federalists Antifederalists Adopting the Constitution (page 213) Answer the following questions to link the material in this lesson to the previous one. 1. Which group did Patrick Henry belong to, Federalists or Antifederalists? 2. What weakness in the Constitution had to be fixed before Virginia agreed to approve it? 112 Chapter 7, Section 3
Define or describe the following key term from this lesson. amendment Now that you have read the section, write the answers to the questions that were included in Setting a Purpose for Reading at the beginning of the section. What are the roots of the Constitution? How did the Constitution limit the power of government? Chapter 7, Section 3 113
Name Date Class Guided Reading Activity A More Perfect Union Section A New Plan of Government Take notes while reading. After completing a section, check your notes to make sure they adequately summarize this section. Filling in the Blanks DIRECTIONS: Use your textbook to fill in the blanks using the words in the box. Some words may not be used. Use another sheet of paper if necessary. federalism checks and balances John Locke Antifederalists legislative three British executive amendment state Baron de Montesquieu judicial supreme Federalists Electoral College The Constitution was shaped by European traditions, particularly (1) ideas as reflected in the Magna Carta and Bill of Rights of 1689. The writings of Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (2) on natural rights and (3) on separation and balance of powers influenced the Constitution s framers. The Constitution reflects the concept of (4) in which power is shared between federal and (5) governments. However, the Constitution and laws passed by Congress are the (6) law of the land. The federal government is divided by the Constitution into (7) branches. Congress is the (8) branch, which makes laws. The president heads the (9) branch, which carries out the nation s laws and policies. The president, and vice president are elected by the (10). The (11) branch contains the nation s courts. The system of (12) prevents one branch from dominating the others. The Constitution s supporters, the (13), agreed to a bill of rights (14), and the document was finally ratified by all the states. 97