Foundations of Government

Foundations of Government

Students will examine the purpose, forms, and limitations on government. They will learn about key philosophers like John Locke and explore practical examples of government functions. Students will complete this unit with an understanding of different forms of government, key influences on American democratic principles, and distinguishing features of governments around the world.

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Lesson Plan

Why Government?

Great question! We ask Thomas Hobbes and John Locke to help us find an answer. The thing is, they don't agree. Dig into the philosophers' ideas and see how they've influenced those that have followed in their footsteps.
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Lesson Plan

The Sovereign State

Discover the four features of a sovereign state. Graphic organizers and mini-quizzes help reinforce the information, while students create a fictional country to apply what they've learned.
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Lesson Plan

Who Rules?

Students learn about the different forms of government that exist, including democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, and others. They compare and contrast these types of government, and they look at real-life examples in the world today.
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Lesson Plan

A Dive Into Democracy

The Founding Fathers had many influences. Discover how aspects of Athenian democracy shaped the structure and ideals of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan

Limiting Government

Explore the five basic limits on government through the true story of Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, and other fictional cases of government power gone wild.
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Lesson Plan

Rule of Law

This skit-driven lesson explores the six factors that make up the rule of law and how they protect individual rights and freedoms in our day to day lives. Students then connect the rule of law to America’s founding documents and think about the relationship between the rule of law factors.
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Lesson Plan

Valuing Our Rights

What are our nation’s fundamental values? In this lesson, students learn what our nation’s core values are and what influenced them. Students examine primary documents and historical speeches to identify our nation’s values and recognize their influence on social movements, national unity, and federal laws.
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Lesson Plan

Foundation Basics

Meet your PALS—Power, Authority, Legitimacy, and Sovereignty! In this lesson, students are introduced to these characteristics of government and consider how governments establish and maintain these foundational tenants.
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Lesson Plan

Lessons from Antiquity

Where did democracy get its start? In this lesson, students learn about direct democracy in Athen's and Rome's republic, how each took shape, and the ideas our Founders borrowed from these great civilizations.
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Lesson Plan

Rule by One

What is a monarchy and why has it been one of the most common forms of government throughout history? In this lesson, students explore the advantages and disadvantages of monarchial rule and consider how rule by one came to reign.
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Lesson Plan

Philosophically Correct

Trace how philosophers throughout history have envisioned the ideal government. Explore ideas from Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau and more in this new high school lesson.
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Lesson Plan

Familiar But Flawed

Did Americans find fault in every ounce of the British government? Maybe not. Learn how America's Founders improved upon familiar structures of British government to contain tyranny in favor of liberty.
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Foundations of Government

Choose Grade Level:

Why Government?

The Sovereign State

Who Rules?

A Dive Into Democracy

Limiting Government

Rule of Law

Valuing Our Rights

Foundation Basics

Lessons from Antiquity

Rule by One

Philosophically Correct

Familiar But Flawed

See how it all fits together!