Dean r berry path to democracy revised 6 7-18

Path to Democracy: From
Kingdoms to Constitutions
A Common Core Unit
By: Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Gregg Berry, B.A.

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Most people throughout history have
had no voice in their government.
Individual rights did not exist.
Powerful rulers could mistreat or
execute people as they wished.

Ancient civilizations in the world evolved
around 10,000 years ago in the Middle
East. Vast empires were ruled by kings and
despots with absolute power over the
people in their kingdoms. The general
public lived without any individual rights.
Their lives were totally dependent on the
whims of kings, pharaohs, and emperors.
People were treated like property or slaves
by their rulers. Governments existed to
control the masses and enhance the
power of a few.

There were many styles of
government with rule by one
person or a small group.

Class Discussion
What is a military dictatorship?
Which countries today have a dictatorship?
Which countries do you think have a democracy that is similar to the
United States?

An Aristocracy or
Oligarchy meant rule
by a few privileged
groups.

Monarchies
or
military dictatorships
meant rule by a
king or a general.

Class Discussion
Are there any Kings or Queens in
countries today?
Do they have absolute power?
What is a constitutional monarchy?

Then about 300 years ago
people in England began to
revolt and push for fair,
representative government.

But before that could
happen, Kings had to give
up some of their power.

The Kings in Europe wanted
absolute power to reign over
their empires.
The people in England wanted
a representative group called
Parliament to have more power
than the monarchy.

Three major events contributed to
the development of the U.S.
Constitution and democracy that
Americans enjoy today.

• 1215 Magna Carta
• 1688 Glorious Revolution in England
• 1776 American Revolution
• 1789 U.S. Constitution

Fighting for Democracy
Major revolutions were
necessary before
democracy was
possible.

Class Discussion
Should people fight and die to change their
government from a dictatorship to one where
elections are held to elect leaders?
Are there any examples in the world today where
people have revolted against their government
and fought for a representative form of
government?

By 1789 the United States had
created a written constitution to
guarantee three branches of
federal government and the
protection of individual rights for
citizens.

Today your individual freedoms
are protected by the U.S.
Constitution and Bill of Rights
written approximately
200 years ago.

Freedom of expression is
critical if everyone is to have a
voice in how our society and
government should work.

Candidates for office can speak directly to
voters about important issues.

The right to express your ideas
without hurting the rights of
others is an important part of
democracy.

Without a Free Press
Democracy Crumbles

Modern technology has
provided our democracy with
many new tools to ensure
participation by all citizens.

The internet provides access to
unlimited ideas for everyone.

Class Discussion
What is a free press?
Why is a free press important?
Why might democracy crumble
without a free press?

American Freedoms
Freedom of Speech
Right to Vote
Freedom to choose a career
Freedom from cruelty and abuse
Free press and internet
Right to a jury by trial
Freedom of religion
Right to attend school
Right to live where you want
Right to meet and assemble with your friends

In a democracy, people can protest
issues and speak their mind.

There are many freedoms enjoyed by
Americans. Which of these freedoms
are the most important to you?
Why?
Class Discussion

But democracy only works if you
vote!

Democracy is never perfect for everyone.
It is a work in progress.

It took the United States 200 years
to expand true democracy for
everyone. Even today new laws
are being considered and passed
to improve our democracy.

Democracy Requires Hard
Work and Participation

Most countries in the
world today do not
enjoy the freedoms
Americans take for
granted.

Freedom in the world is limited. All
countries do not have the same levels
of freedom.

Only the Green Countries have
Complete Freedom of the Press

Some governments in the
world provide very little
freedom for their citizens.
Communist countries are
not democratic.

Still Fighting for Freedom
Many countries in the Middle
East and Asia are struggling to
secure democratic freedoms.

The Fight for Freedom
Continues

Discuss the Way Governments Differ

Class Check-up and Review
Raise your green card if you believe
the statement is true or your red card
if you think it is false.

True or False-1
For over 8,000 years
people throughout the
world lived with
individual rights.

True or False-2
In most countries, the monarchy
was a representative style of
government that enabled citizens
to participate in their government.

True or False-3
When the head of a
government is a dictator, a
monarch, or an emperor
exercises complete control over
citizens.

True or False-4
Most Kings in Europe
wanted the people to
have absolute power
over the government.

True or False-5
The Glorious Revolution of 1688
was important because it reduced
the power of the monarchy and
gave people more voice in their
government.

True or False-6
Although the U.S.
Constitution was agreed
to in 1789, it is not a
written document.

True or False-7
The U.S. Constitution
guarantees three branches of
the federal government and
the protection of individual
rights for citizens.

True or False-8
Free access to the internet is a
right supported by the first
Amendment that includes
freedom of the press.

The History of the World Timeline in
Illustration Outstanding 5 stars 8 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TbUxGZtwGI

The History of Democracy
6 min Very good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opqrE2jSmA

Democracy: A Brief History
3 min Excellent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6jgWxkbR7A

A Re-enactment of the Magna
Carta 6 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qj2vpp9Wf4

Conduct Research on the Issues
Use technology to gather information about
how the United States Constitution protects our
freedom of expression. Research the various
constitutional challenges to free expression.
Examine relevant Supreme Court decisions.
Develop a proposal to protect the rights of
individuals as well as the public’s rights while using
the internet. Is censorship ever necessary or legal?
This will be a short research assignment and should
generate two or three pages of notes. The notes
will used during the next class discussion to review
ideas and solutions and to write a proposal.

Zero in on the Key Issues
Use the following
essential questions
to provide focus for
your inquiry.

Essential Questions to Guide Research
1. What does the U.S. Constitution say about free speech?
2. What is slander?
3. What do Supreme Court decisions say about free speech
issues?
4. Has the Supreme Court made specific decisions about
free speech when using the internet or other forms of
media?

Gather the Facts and
Supporting Evidence
Use all available sources,
primary and secondary,
and books and internet to
access the important
information for your topic.

Legal Support for
Free Speech
http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/
english/pamphlet/2013/04/20130
416145829.html#axzz2pN3Llmy7

Freedom of Expression
and Limitations
http://www.lincoln.edu/criminalju
stice/hr/Speech.htm

Some Free Speech May
Be Bullying and Illegal
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/sa_la
w/topics/bullying/workplace-
bullying

Profanity Might Be Sexual Harassment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_h
arassment

Slander and Defamation are Illegal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Defamation

Legality of Profanity
and Obscenity
https://www.fcc.gov/guides/ob
scenity-indecency-profanity-faq

Court Decision on
Free Expression
http://www.nytimes.com/2013
/12/05/us/politics/supreme-
court-prepares-to-set-a-line-
this-time-literal.html?_r=0

Freedom has Limits
If…………
http://www.worldissues360.co
m/index.php/is-profanity-a-
protected-free-speech-free-
press-right-no-21167/

Profanity May not Be a Right
Protected Under the Law
http://www.firstamendmentce
nter.org/remember-profanity-
isnt-always-protected-speech

1st Amendment:
Big Picture
http://docsteach.org/act
ivities/4894

Write an Essay
Once you have
completed your
research, you will go
through a step by
step process for
writing a formal essay
and proposing your
ideas and solutions.

Write a Proposal
Use your notes to write a two page
proposal to review the issues related to
free expression and to recommend ways to
protect both the public and each
individual’s rights to free expression.
Provide specific information to support
your proposed ideas with clearly articulated
arguments and sufficient
evidence.

Your Proposal
Define the issue/problem
Outline the details of your
argument
Cite supporting research
Project possible
roadblocks
Specify contingency or
back up plans

Develop a Writing Plan
Determine what your main point will be,
and write a topic sentence that provides
focus for your essay.
Choose several main ideas that support
your topic sentence.
Sort your information into supporting
details with facts and examples.

Five Paragraph Essay
Outline
Introduction
What is my topic
sentence?
Body-Main Ideas
With supporting
details
Conclusion
How can I summarize
my paragraph?
How can I rephrase
my topic sentence?

Details Must Support
the Main Ideas
Provide specific
facts, examples,
and reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

Prepare to Write
Use your outline and
write an essay on your
topic.
As you write your
rough draft, it will be
very important to use
special words that
enable you to transition
smoothly from one
idea to the next.

Transition Words
As you view these
words, select the
words that help you
make transitions
smoothly from one
idea to the next.
as a result
such as
for example
nevertheless
for that reason
finally
at this time
therefore
furthermore
in addition
in conclusion
as well as

Review and Edit
Once you have
completed your rough
draft, read your essay
several times and
make revisions and
additions.

Review, Edit, and Rewrite
1. Re-read your essay several times.
2. How can you improve your sentences
to communicate more clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported by
examples and details?
4. Exchange papers with another
student and read each other’s essay
out loud.

Pair Share Editing
Work in pairs to edit
and improve your
essay. Read each
other’s essays “out
loud” and offer
specific suggestions
for improvement.

Final Draft
Use what you
have learned
from your
review process
and write your
final draft.

Explore the Issue
Should the majority always decide
what is right in a democracy?
Should the majority rule in all
cases? Develop an argument for or
against complete majority rule in a
democracy.

Take a Pro or Con Position
In order to make a
convincing argument for
or against an idea, it is
very important to evaluate
the facts and see if they
support your position.
The first step is to ask
relevant questions that
will guide your
investigation of the
evidence.

Inquiring Minds want to Know
Essential Questions
Would it be fair if the majority of voters had the
power to create laws requiring the segregation of
the races?
Would it be acceptable if voters decided that gay
marriage was illegal?
Would it be acceptable if voters could vote to
eliminate newspapers and magazines they found
offensive?
Whose right is more important, the individual’s
right to smoke in a public place or the group’s right
to breathe fresh air?

Conduct the Research
Identify specific questions
about the issue to guide
your investigation of the
facts.
Determine if the evidence
is credible and supports
your main arguments.
Use internet and book
sources to gather credible
information.

The Proof is in the Pudding
The Issue: Should the majority always
decide what is legal for everyone else
in a democracy?
Your assignment is to research this
issue, take a position, support your
arguments with sufficient evidence,
and write a report to convince others
of your point of view.

Majority Rule and Minority Rights
http://www.democracyweb.org
/majority/principles.php

Why Marriage Matters
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/tag/
gay-marriage/

Majority Rule
With Minority Rights
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/res
ources/educator-
resources/americapedia/americap
edia-constitution/majority-rule-
minority-rights/

Annenberg Majority
Rule/Minority Rights
http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/gl
ossaries.aspx?term=majority-rule-and-
minority-
rights&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Supreme Court Decisions:
Same Sex Marriage
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/27/us/
politics/supreme-court-gay-
marriage.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Supreme Court Acts on
Defense of Marriage Act
http://www.washingtonpost.com/poli
tics/supreme-
court/2013/06/26/f0039814-d9ab-
11e2-a016-92547bf094cc_story.html

Whose Right to Life?
http://reproductiverights.org/sites/crr
.civicactions.net/files/documents/RTL
_3%2014%2012.pdf

Reproductive Rights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reprodu
ctive_rights

Right to Life
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to
_life

News: Right to Life
http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.o
rg/news/#.UznjgfldW2I

Defense of Marriage Act
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense
_of_Marriage_Act

Majority Rule or Minority Rights
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eliza
beth-bisbee-silber/majority-rules-
minority-r_b_683545.html

Right to be Safe or Gun Rights?
http://www.buffalonews.com/city-
region/state/federal-judge-upholds-
majority-of-safe-act-20131231

Marriage Equality
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/tag/gay-
marriage/

Gun Rights or Public Safety
http://www.buffalonews.com/city-
region/federal-court/activists-on-
both-sides-of-safe-act-watch-buffalo-
suit-intently-20131228

Determine what your main point will be, and write
a topic sentence that provides focus for your essay.
Choose several main ideas that support your topic
sentence.
Sort your information into supporting details with
facts and examples.

Five Paragraph Essay
Outline
Introduction
What is my topic
sentence?
Body-Main Ideas
With supporting
details
Conclusion
How can I summarize
my paragraph?
How can I rephrase my
topic sentence?

Details Must Support the Main Ideas
Provide
specific facts,
examples, and
reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

Prepare to Write
Use your outline and
write an essay on
your topic.
As you write your
rough draft, it will be
very important to use
special words that
enable you to
transition smoothly
from one idea to the
next.

Transition Words
As you view these words,
select the words that
help you make transitions
smoothly from one idea
to the next.
as a result
such as
for example
nevertheless
for that reason
finally
at this time
therefore
furthermore
in addition
in conclusion
as well as

Relevance to the Real World
The final conclusion of your paper should explain why
your point of view on the issue is important for the
future. Answer these questions as you write your
conclusion.
1. Why is your issue important to our world?
2. Why should anyone care about it?
3. What would be the negative results if your
recommendations are not followed?

1. Re-read your essay several times.
2. How can you improve your sentences to
communicate more clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported by examples
and details?
4. Exchange papers with another student and
read each other’s essay out loud.
5. Make final corrections and write the final draft
of your polished essay.

Your Research Topic
Gather information about
how our system of
representative
government provides for
the participation of
citizens and keeps power
out of the hands of a few
individuals. Analyze how
our U.S. Constitution
establishes a check and
balance system that
spreads law making power
to three branches.

Select Your Topic
Discuss your
topic with your
teacher before
you begin your
research.

Extend Your Knowledge
of the Topic
Participate in an in-depth study of a
government topic that your teacher will make
available. Identify 4-6 internet or print
resources that provide helpful information
regarding your topic. Review your notes and
develop several questions that you would like to
explore about your topic. The following
questions will provide focus for your inquiry.

Essential Questions to Guide Research
1. What steps must an American go through in order to vote in
an election?
2. What can citizens do if they do not like their elected
representative?
3. How does the “check and balance system” keep political
power out of the hands of a few?
4. How can citizens influence the creation of state and federal
laws?
5. What is representative government?

Our Federal Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_
government_of_the_United_States

Participating in Government
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/4d.asp

How Citizens Connect with
their Government
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/5.asp

Checks and Balances in
Our Government
http://americanhistory.about.com/od
/usconstitution/a/checks_balances.ht
m

Checks and Balances Facts
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A077
7009.html

The Basics of Checks and Balances
http://www.congressforkids.net/Cons
titution_checksandbalances.htm

Overview of Checks and Balances
http://www.mcwdn.org/GOVERNME
NT/ChecksBalances.html

Checks and Balances Explained
http://www.auburn.edu/~johnspm/gl
oss/checks_and_balances

How to Participate in Government
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/4d.asp

Ways to Participate in Government
http://www.civiced.org/index.php?pa
ge=wtp_ms28_sb

Collect Your Information
Your research
must include a
minimum of
three pages of
notes about
your topic.

Your Essay Topic
Organize your ideas and prepare to
write an essay about how our
system of representative
government involves citizens and
keeps power out of the hands of a
few individuals. Explain the
important democratic concepts
that ensure the distribution of
power to three branches of
government.

Organize Your Ideas
Review all of your notes from
the presentations, group
discussions, and research
notes.
Select the most important
ideas.
Choose facts and examples to
support each important idea

Determine what your
main point will be, and
write a topic sentence
that provides focus for
your essay.
Choose several main ideas
that support your topic
sentence.
Sort your information into
supporting details with
facts and examples.

Details Must Support the
Main Ideas
Provide specific
facts, examples,
and reasons for
each main idea
in the body of
your essay

Write the Rough Draft
Use the Five
Paragraph
format that
includes an
Introductory
Paragraph,
Body, and
Conclusion

Prepare to Write
Write a five paragraph essay about
how our democratic system
involves citizens. In addition,
review the check and balance
system and how it functions to
keep power out of the hands of a
few individuals.
As you write your rough draft, it
will be very important to use
special words that enable you to
transition smoothly from one idea
to the next.

Transition Words
As you view these
words, select the
words that help
you make
transitions
smoothly from
one idea to the
next.
as a result
such as
for example
nevertheless
for that reason
finally
at this time
therefore
furthermore
in addition
in conclusion
as well as

1. Re-read your essay several
times.
2. How can you improve your
sentences to communicate more
clearly?
3. Are your main ideas supported
by examples and details?
4. Exchange papers with another
student and read each other’s
essay out loud.
5. Make final corrections and write
the final draft of your polished
essay.

Final Unit Test
Our Federal Government
.
1. Should the majority of people in a democracy always
decide the rules for everyone to follow? Develop a
strong argument for or against total majority rule.
Provide examples and specific details to support your
position.

2. Explain how the check and balance system protects our
constitutional rights during the law making process. Provide
specific details and examples.
3. Describe a situation where the general public’s rights to free
expression of ideas come into conflict with the right’s of the
individual. Explain whose right should be protected in that
situation. Cite Supreme Court decisions or parts of the U.S.
Constitution that support your position.

Dean r berry path to democracy revised 6 7-18

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Dean r berry path to democracy revised 6 7-18