Use this section to explore resources about the influence of the Enlightenment, documents that influenced the colonists, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. Click on the links to each of the module pages below to explore that module's content.
Let's Learn About Influences on Our Constitutional Republic!
SS.7.CG.1.1 Analyze the influences of ancient Greece, ancient Rome, and the Judeo-Christian tradition on America's constitutional republic.
Let's Learn About Founding Principles
SS.7.CG.1.2: Trace the principles underlying America's ideas on law and government.
Let's Learn About Influential Documents
SS.7.CG.1.3: Trace the impact that the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on colonists’ views of government.
Let's Learn About The Enlightenment:
SS.7.CG.1.4: Analyze how Enlightenment ideas including Montesquieu’s view of separation of powers and John Locke’s theories related to natural law and how Locke’s social contract influenced the Founding.
Let's Learn About The Road to Independence:
SS.7.CG.1.5: Describe how English policies and responses to colonial concerns led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
Let's Learn About the Declaration of Independence:
SS.7.CG.1.6: Analyze the ideas and grievances set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Let's Learn About the Articles of Confederation:
SS.7.CG.1.7: Explain how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the U.S. Constitution.