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9th grade · Social Studies · Unit 1 of 9

Foundations of Democracy

Ideas behind the Constitution

What your child practices

Greek, Roman, English and Enlightenment roots of American government, Tocqueville's view of American democracy, republican and liberal ideas, the Federalist Papers and the Bill of Rights as a limit on government.

Alaska content standards learning standard: SS.9-12.6.1; SS.9-12.6.3 · the ideas behind the Constitution and the principles it is built on

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. American government has roots in Greek democracy, the Roman Republic (elected representatives), English rights and Enlightenment ideas.
  2. Popular sovereignty: the people are the source of power (“We the People”). The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation.
  3. The Founders added checks and balances and federalism because people in power can abuse it.

Example: What does popular sovereignty mean? “Sovereignty” means the highest power. “Popular” means of the people. Answer: The people are the source of government’s power

Foundations of Democracy in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 1 of 9 in 9th grade Social Studies, before Taking Part.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Federalist No. 10, by James Madison, argued that a large republic…

    • needs a king
    • controls the effects of factions
    • will always fail
    • should be ruled by one party

  2. Question 2

    Which principle lets each branch limit the others?

    • manifest destiny
    • judicial restraint
    • laissez-faire
    • checks and balances

  3. Question 3

    Which document did the Constitution replace?

    • the Articles of Confederation
    • the Declaration of Independence
    • the Magna Carta
    • the Mayflower Compact

  4. Question 4

    Athenian democracy gave Americans the idea of…

    • military rule
    • rule by one king
    • no written law
    • citizens taking part in government

  5. Question 5

    John Locke's idea that government needs the consent of the governed means…

    • people have no say
    • power comes from the king's birth
    • only judges hold power
    • power comes from the people

  6. Question 6

    Why did the Founders create a republic rather than a direct democracy?

    • they banned voting
    • they wanted a king
    • representatives could deliberate and protect minority rights
    • the country was too small

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