Hamilton informs his readers that “that there would appear still to remain for discussion two points {outlined in Federalist 1}: ‘the analogy of the proposed government to your own State constitution.’ And ‘the additional security which its adoption will afford to republican government, to liberty, and to property.'” These topics have been “exhausted” in previous essays. “I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect man.” Surely the plan of the convention is more perfect than what we have under the Articles? Let’s not call for another convention. Furthermore, isn’t it better to “obtain subsequent amendments than previous amendments to the Constitution?” Remember, “seven out of the thirteen States” have already ratified the plan of the convention.

This resource provides information on Federalist No. 8. The Federalist Papers were originally newspaper essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym Publius, whose immediate goal was to persuade the people of New York to ratify the constitution.

This resource provides information on Federalist No. 9. The Federalist Papers were originally newspaper essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym Publius, whose immediate goal was to persuade the people of New York to ratify the constitution.

Narrated by Bowdoin College Government Professor Andrew Rudalevige, "Founding Principles" provides an introductory overview and basic understanding to American government, but one that is crucial to building citizen-leaders, promoting civic engagement, and working toward the common good.
Chapter Fifteen reviews the important aspects of the American system of government and encourages viewers to use their knowledge to get involved in their own political world.

Narrated by Bowdoin College Government Professor Andrew Rudalevige, "Founding Principles" provides an introductory overview and basic understanding to American government, but one that is crucial to building citizen-leaders, promoting civic engagement, and working toward the common good.
Chapter Three discusses Congress and its power, and how it works and doesn't work for public interest.

This video will help students understand the nomination process for political parties. They will learn how primaries and caucuses help determine the candidate that will best represent a party platform, the role of delegates and super delegates in the election process, and the impact of "Super Tuesday."

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of recent studies that try to quantify a country's happiness through various economic measures. By investigating the compelling question about whether Americans could be happier, students consider the ways in which economic values impact our perspectives on happiness and the extent to which we could be happier as a country. Students will investigate three studies of global happiness and the platforms of three American political parties to develop an understanding of the relationship between values, economic policy, and how we view economic happiness and could improve upon it.

This inquiring leads the students through an investigation about our current election process.  The students will receive a broad overview of how the US Presidential election process works.  At the end of the research the students will understand four key components to the presidential election process; being the Electoral College, influence of the media, role of interest groups and PACS, and the role of the voting citizenry. After learning about the election process and the “big players” the students will read through documents, analyze charts and infographics, and watch videos pertaining to the importance of voting. 

In this lesson plan, students examine the evolution of Latino electoral participation with specific reference to the growth of voter participation in South Texas and New York in the 1950s – 70s, as well as the impact of Latino voters in major elections of the early 2000s. Students will explore early efforts to mobilize disenfranchised voters, examine watershed campaigns and elections and consider major issues – including the politics of immigration. They will reflect on the major paradigm shifts that have occurred within the last 60 years. Teachers can complete the entire sequence of activities or choose just one of the activities as a stand-alone lesson.

Students learn the basics about the federal budget-what services the federal government provides and how it collects money for those services, various types of fiscal policy and other information through a short PowerPoint discussion. Next, students are appointed to a special Presidential commission to "tackle the deficit," deciding whether to raise taxes, cut spending, or a combination of both. Finally, students defend their commission's plans at a mock press conference.

Before the birth of opposition political parties, divisions among U.S. leaders developed over the ratification of the Constitution.

Students will analyze ads from two presidential campaign years. In the process, they will learn how ads reflect their historical context while also addressing themes and concerns common to most modern presidential campaigns. Students will be able to explain how key historical figures have exemplified values and principles of American democracy.

Students gain an understanding of the evolving presence of political parties in the history of the United States, as well as the role of third parties in the political process. Students work in groups to apply what they have learned by designing a tombstone for a historical (or rather "dead") US political party.

Students examine the two-party political system in the United States and the effect upon it that third parties have had.

In this lesson, students examine the two-party political system in the United States and the effect upon it that third parties have had.

In this activity, students learn to recognize the relationships among candidates, the major and minor parties, and special interest groups, and understand how these relationships shape the public agenda.