This document outlines an inquiry-based lesson plan about how the definition of power and authority in the United States has changed over time. It presents a compelling question and several supporting questions to guide student inquiry. Source documents are provided relating to the founding era and Declaration of Independence, the Gilded Age, and a trial from the late 19th century to illustrate shifts in power and authority. The lesson aims to have students evaluate this evidence to understand how views of power and authority have evolved in the U.S.

1. Defining Power and
Authority: A U.S. History
Inquiry-Based Lesson
Whitney G. Blankenship
National Council for the Social Studies
Annual Conference
San Francisco, CA
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Or go to: http://tinyurl.com/PowerAuthorityNCSS17

2. November 9,
2016

3. Inquiry
Design
Model

4. What makes
a question
compelling?

5. Compelling
Question
How has the definition of power
and authority in the United
States changed over time?

6. Supporting Question 1: How did the founders define power and authority?

7. Supporting Question: Who were the signers
of the declaration of independence?
Featured Sources:
• Jefferson’s Draft of
Declaration
• Published Declaration
• Demographic Data on
Signers

8. Jefferson’s
Draft &
Demographic
Data
What changes were made? Which changes were
most significant? Why?
How does this evidence connect with the
demographic data of the signers?

9. He has waged cruel war….
Within the Continental Congress, who holds the balance of power at this
point?
Additional Clips:
• Molasses to Rum
to Slave
• The Lee’s from
Old Virginia

10. Grievances &
Demographic Data
What is the connection between these two pieces of
data?

11. Declaring Independence
What inferences can you make about the definition of power &
authority at the time of the Declaration of Independence?
The Choices Program
Brown University

12. What did you learn about power and authority at
the time of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence?

14. Who has power and authority in the U.S.?
Federal
Government
Constitutional
Amendments
Court Cases
•Articles of Confederation
•Constitution
•13th, 14th, & 15th
•17th & 19th
•Dred Scott/Plessy
•Korematsu
•Brown I & II
•Gideon & Miranda
•Loving

15. Power &
Authority in the
Gilded Age

16. The Cult of Domesticity
Domesticity
Piety
Submissiveness
Purity
Barbara Welter

17. Ain’t I a Woman?
What elements of the Cult of Domesticity are highlighted in
Truth’s speech?
How does Truth’s speech show the tension between the Cult of
Domesticity and the lived experience of black women?

18. The Trial of Lizzie
Borden
Compelling Question:
Was Lizzie Borden innocent?

19. Supporting Question: What evidence was
presented at her trial?
Trial Transcripts
Press Accounts
Borden Family
Lizzie’s
Biography
Neighborhood
Map
Indictment &
Timeline
FeaturedSources

20. Supporting Question: What socio-cultural
factors played a role in Borden’s trial?
Cult of
Domesticity
Physical
Evidence

21. Power &
Authority in the
Gilded Age
Extending the topic…..

22. To what extent does the definition of power
and authority change between the 18th & 19th
centuries in the United States?
Argument & Extension
Summative Performance Task

23. What would
taking informed
action look like?