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Foundations of American democracy

Ideals of democracy

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The social contract
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Democratic ideals of US government
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The ideas at the heart of US government
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Democratic ideals in the Declaration of Independence
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Democratic ideals in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
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The Declaration of Independence
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Democratic ideals in the Preamble to the US Constitution
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The Preamble to the Constitution
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Ideals of democracy: lesson overview
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Types of democracy

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Introduction to democracy and its variations
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Types of democracy
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Types of democracy: lesson overview
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Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

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The Articles of Confederation and Shays' Rebellion
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What was the Articles of Confederation?
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Challenges of the Articles of Confederation
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The Articles of Confederation
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Challenges of the Articles of Confederation: lesson overview
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Government power and individual rights

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Federalist No. 10 (part 1)
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Federalist No. 10 (part 2)
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Federalist No. 10
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Anti-Federalists and Brutus No. 1
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Brutus No. 1
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Government power and individual rights: lesson overview
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Ratification of the US Constitution

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The Constitutional Convention
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Constitutional compromises: The Electoral College
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Constitutional compromises: The Three-Fifths Compromise
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The impact of constitutional compromises on us today
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The Constitution of the United States
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Article V and the amendment process
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Article V of the Constitution
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Article VI of the Constitution
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Article VII of the Constitution
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Ratification of the US Constitution: lesson overview
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Principles of American government

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Separation of powers and checks and balances
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Principles of American government
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Federalist No. 51
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Multiple points of influence due to separation of powers and checks and balances
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Impeachment
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Principles of American government: lesson overview
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The relationship between the states and the federal government

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Federalism in the United States
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Categorical grants, mandates, and the Commerce Clause
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Article IV of the Constitution
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The relationship between the states and the federal government
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The relationship between the states and the federal government: lesson overview
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Constitutional interpretations of federalism

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Federal and state powers and the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments
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The Tenth Amendment
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Enumerated and implied powers of the US federal government
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McCulloch v. Maryland - case facts
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McCulloch v. Maryland
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United States v. Lopez
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Constitutional interpretations of federalism: lesson overview
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Federalism in action

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Introduction to the public policy process
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About this unit

In this unit, we delve into the ideas, debates, and history of American government. Learn about the philosophy that inspired the Founders of the United States and the Framers of the Constitution.