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The US Constitution: Part 2. The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution. Mind Map (20 mins ) The Bill of Rights and Amendments: Poster Activity (30 mins ) The Constitution: Are the effective checks and balances? How does it protect peoples freedoms? –Worksheet (30 mins )
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The US Constitution: Part 2 • The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution. Mind Map (20 mins) • The Bill of Rights and Amendments: Poster Activity (30 mins) • The Constitution: Are the effective checks and balances? How does it protect peoples freedoms? –Worksheet (30 mins) • Summary: Interpretations of the Constitution and Criticisms (mindmap) (10 mins) • Essay Writing and Planning (25 mins) • Homework
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution –Mind Map • What is the Declaration of Independence? • What is the US Constitution?
The US Bill of Rights: Poster Activity • Add on and illustrate, label the poster • Use: The US Constitution • What is the Bill of Rights? • What amendments have been made to the Bill of Rights?
The US Constitution Worksheet • Why have so few amendments been passed on the US Constitution? (list 4 reasons) • What rights does the constitution guarantee? (1st amendment, second amendment) See box 1.5
What is meant by the separation of powers? • Checks and Balances: • Copy the chart of key checks and balances in the US system. • What checks does the executive have over the judiciary? (2) • What checks does the legislature have on the executive? (8)
What checks does the legislature have on the judiciary? (2) • What checks does the judiciary have on the legislature? (1) • What checks does the judiciary have on the executive? (1) • What is meant by Bipartisanship?
What is the key problem with this system of checks and balances? • What problems can occur with ‘divided governments’?
Changes in Interpretation of the Constitution? • David Mckay (1993) Argues that constitutional changes are less important than their interpretation . • He identifies four such stages: • 1) The assertion of federal power over state power • 2) The assertion of executive power over legislative power • 3) The emergence of the US supreme court as the final arbiter of the constitution • 4) The growing protection of individual rights under the federal government • First two were not envisaged by founding fathers, but the third probably was. • The fourth has developed in a way that could never of been predicted in 1787
Assessing the Constitution • How important is it? • David Mckay and Martin Hague argue that most political developments and changes have involved institutions and processes, not even referred to in the constitution* • Interest Groups • Mass Media • Globalisation • Party Politics
Summary/ Criticisms of the Constitution • Continuing political battles between executive and legislature • Progressive weakening of states in relation to federal government • Presidents contained by negative power of congress (Mckay) • States loss of power is more to do with inefficiency and inefefctivegovt, than it is the constitution’ (Mckay, 93)
Timed Essay: • The Constitution is an effective system of checks and balance. Discuss (25 mins) • Plan your essay for 5 mins Remember the rules: • Opposing arguments • Evidence for each argument • Use key Names and theories
Constitution / Homework • Create flash cards or a mind map on the changing federal –state relationship /consequences of Federalism • Complete the essay: • How and why is federalism enshrined in the Constitution? (15 mins, 15 marks) • Complete the exam paper to time • Look at the exam papers attached and list down briefly what you think each question is asking you to cover.