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9th grade · Social Studies · Unit 1 of 11

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.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: GOV.1(A); GOV.1(B); GOV.1(C); GOV.1(D); GOV.6(A); GOV.6(C) · the ideas, traditions and thinkers behind the founding documents, and the Federalist Papers

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 Texas

In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 1 of 11 in 9th grade Social Studies, before Forms of Government.

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: Texas Education Agency (TEA)

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

    The Mayflower Compact of 1620 was an early example of…

    • a peace treaty with France
    • a trade deal
    • self-government by agreement
    • a royal law

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

    Athenian democracy gave Americans the idea of…

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

  4. Question 4

    The rule of law means…

    • everyone, including leaders, must follow the law
    • leaders can break laws
    • laws are optional
    • only judges follow laws

  5. Question 5

    Federalism divides power between…

    • the national and state governments
    • the president and the pope
    • cities and businesses
    • two political parties

  6. Question 6

    The idea of natural rights says rights come from…

    • the king's permission
    • the army
    • a person's wealth
    • being human, not from government

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