Lesson 9 - What Basic Ideas about Governments Did the State Constitutions Include? How did the New States Protect Rights

SD Application

1. Of the six basic ideas included in the first state constitutions, are they still present today?  In what capacity? (Six Basic Ideas can be found on Page 47 of “We the People”.)
2. How has South Dakota used the protection of checks and balances as afforded by the Constitution?
3. What role do gubernatorial pardons play in the system of checks and balances?  How can those gubernatorial pardons affect your everyday rights?

Activity

1. Students research a current nation in the transition of designing a new government.  Consider how developing countries are incorporating the 6 basic ideas into their new government?