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Major Themes in U.S. History

Published byClemence Kelley Mills Modified over 6 years ago

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Presentation on theme: "Major Themes in U.S. History"— Presentation transcript:

1 Major Themes in U.S. History
Ideals and Contradictions

2 Focus on Big Themes & Issues
Way of understanding history Way of organizing our thoughts Way of studying for the course Will show up in paper topics Will show up in exams Should show up in your contributions to discussion and journal entries

3 Major American Ideals Freedom Liberty Equality Self-determination
Democracy Progress On the right side of history = fundamentally good

4 U.S. Ideals in Action: The Declaration of Independence, 1776
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;…”

5 U.S. Ideals in Action: The Constitution
Constitution, Preamble: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America”

6 U.S. Ideals in Action: Commerce Clause
Article I, Section 8 of U.S. Constitution: “The Congress shall have Power: To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and General Welfare of the United States;…” “To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes”

7 U.S. Ideals in Action: The Elastic Clause
Article I, Section 8: “The Congress shall Have Power: “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution…”

8 U.S. Ideals in Action: Interpretations of Constitution
Main ideas or goals: How to achieve them:

9 Common Ideals Ideals? Definitions?
Most Americans agree on common goals or ideals, but disagree on definition or how to achieve them: Ideals? Definitions?

10 Who Has the Power to Ensure Ideals Are Met?
Use of founding documents to justify govt. action or inaction to ensure ideals are achieved Conflict over meanings of same documents Example: diff. interpretations of the Constitution Elastic Clause, “General Welfare” very open-ended Commerce Clause also open-ended Strict-constructionists disagree – if it isn’t explicitly listed in the Constitution, then govt. can’t do it

11 So Whose Interpretations Win?
Power Conflict Idealism Compromise Stalemate Progress vs. Regress Individuals, Movements, Society

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