The fundamental values that inform how are democratic government is legitimated and organized are enshrined on the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution of the United States.
Identify and discuss the basic ideals and principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
Identify the most important Supreme Court cases and executive actions and their impact on law and on our society.
Those ideals and principles are discussed in the first and second chapters of your textbook. You can also visit the following websites to read the original document in which these fundamental values were first stated and how they were later incorporated in the American Constitution:
The Declaration of Independence: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/
The Constitution of the United States: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
Full Answer Section
These ideals and principles are applied in our republican form of government in a number of ways. For example:
- The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
- The Bill of Rights guarantees certain individual rights, such as the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial.
- The people elect their representatives to make laws and to govern on their behalf.
- The people have the right to vote and to participate in the political process.
Here are some examples of Supreme Court cases and executive actions that have had a significant impact on law and on our society:
- Supreme Court cases:
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): This case overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine and led to the desegregation of public schools.
- Roe v. Wade (1973): This case established the constitutional right to an abortion.
- Bush v. Gore (2000): This case decided the outcome of the 2000 presidential election and led to George W. Bush becoming president.
- Executive actions:
- The Emancipation Proclamation (1863): This executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln freed slaves in the Confederate states.
- Executive Order 9066 (1942): This executive order authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
- The Affordable Care Act (2010): This healthcare reform law was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
These are just a few examples of the many Supreme Court cases and executive actions that have had a significant impact on law and on our society. It is important to note that these cases and actions can be controversial, and there is often debate about their impact.
Conclusion:
The basic ideals and principles of American democracy are essential to our republican form of government. These ideals and principles are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. They have been shaped and refined over time through Supreme Court cases and executive actions.
The ideals and principles of American democracy are not always easy to uphold, but they are worth fighting for. They are the foundation of our free and just society.