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Module 1: Foundations of American Democracy

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail, and what did that failure teach the Founders?

Explain the structure of the Articles of Confederation, identify its key weaknesses, and analyze how those weaknesses led to the Constitutional Convention and a stronger national government (LA Civics, Foundations of American Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the Articles of Confederation: the first national government, why it was deliberately weak, its key weaknesses (no power to tax, no executive, no national courts), Shays's Rebellion, and how its failure led to the Constitution, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →

How did the Declaration of Independence turn Enlightenment ideas into a justification for a new nation?

Analyze the purpose, structure, and key ideas of the Declaration of Independence, including natural rights, the consent of the governed, the list of grievances against the King, and the right of revolution (LA Civics, Foundations of American Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the Declaration of Independence: its purpose, its four parts, its Enlightenment ideas of natural rights and consent of the governed, the grievances against King George III, and the right of revolution, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →

How did Enlightenment ideas shape the principles on which the United States was founded?

Explain how Enlightenment ideas, including natural rights, the social contract, popular sovereignty, and separation of powers, influenced the Founders, and connect thinkers such as John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Thomas Hobbes to American founding ideals (LA Civics, Foundations of American Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the Enlightenment ideas behind American government: natural rights, the social contract, popular sovereignty, and separation of powers, and how Locke, Montesquieu, and Hobbes shaped the Founders, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
13 min answer →

What core principles hold the American system of government together?

Identify and explain the core principles of American government, including popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, republicanism, and individual rights (LA Civics, Foundations of American Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the core principles of American government: popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, republicanism, and individual rights, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
12 min answer →

How is the US Constitution organized, and what does its Preamble say government is for?

Describe the structure of the US Constitution, including the Preamble, the seven articles, and the amendments, and explain the six purposes of government set out in the Preamble (LA Civics, Foundations of American Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the US Constitution: its structure (Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments), the six purposes of government in the Preamble, the Great Compromise, and the role of the Constitutional Convention, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
13 min answer →