• compare and contrast governments and their influence on regions.

• describe how government impacts the characteristics of place;
• identify historical events that impacted individual governments;
• describe how citizens impact social and political issues.

• identify roles of government within a country;
• identify examples of citizens impacting social and political issues.

(Comprehension) 8.C.1.1. Students are able to describe the basic structure of government adopted through compromises by the Constitutional Convention.
Examples: three branches, separation of powers, checks and balances
Examples: Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise

(Application) 8.C.1.2. Students are able to describe the relationship of government to citizens and groups during the Westward Expansion.
Examples: Northwest Ordinance, Land Ordinance of 1785

• Identify basic structures of tribal government prior to the Civil War.
  Examples: Iroquois Confederacy, Cherokee, Tiospaye government, Seven Council Fires (Lakota, Nakota, Dakota,)

(Application) 8.C.1.3. Students are able to describe the successes and problems of the government under the Articles of Confederation.
Examples: Shay's Rebellion, lack of taxation

(Comprehension) 8.C.1.4. Students are able to describe the impact of the Civil War on the United States government.
Examples: Emancipation Proclamation, Confederate States of America

(Comprehension) 8.C.2.1. Students are able to describe the fundamental liberties and rights stated in the first 15 amendments of the Constitution.
Examples: Bill of Rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, Civil War amendments

• compare the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution;
• describe the influence of the Constitution on contemporary legislation;
• describe how westward expansion contributed to the Civil War.

• describe the successes and problems of the government under the Articles of Confederation;
• describe the processes, differing points of view, and outcomes of the Constitutional Convention;
• describe the relationship of government to citizens and groups during the Westward Expansion and the Civil War;
• describe the fundamental liberties and rights stated in the first 15 amendments of the Constitution.

• identify powers of the government under the Articles of Confederation;
• identify the fundamental liberties and rights stated in the Bill of Rights;
• describe the events of the Constitutional Convention.

• Geographic distribution of power
  Examples: unitary, federal, confederation
• The relationship between the legislative and executive branches
  Examples: presidential, parliamentary
• The number of citizens who may participate

• Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances
  Examples: legislative, executive, judicial
  Example: Describe the structures, functions, and powers of the branches of government.
• Federalism-division of power among national, state, local, and tribal
• Limited Government (Rule of law/Constitutionalism)
• Popular Sovereignty
• Judicial review
  Examples: Landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court (Marbury v. Madison, Miranda v. Arizona, Plessey v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade)
• Amendment process
• Rationale for constitutional amendments and the conflicts they address

• Fundamental worth of the individual
• Equality of all persons
• Majority rule/minority rights
• Necessity of compromise
• Individual freedom

• State
• Local - divisions (county, city, townships)
• Tribes - reservations, tribal constitutions, governments
  Example: Nine South Dakota reservations with separate constitutions and government

• Describe the roles of the citizen in the legislative and electoral process
  Examples: the right to vote, referendum, initiative, recall
• Describe the benefits, duties, and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States.
  Example: volunteerism benefits and rewards -Native Americans enlisting in the military
• Explain the nature and functions of major and minor political parties, interest groups, and media on the political process.
• Describe the campaign and election process for national, state, and local offices.
• Describe the Electoral College process.

• Bill of Rights and other amendments

• Describe the benefits, duties, and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States.

• explain strengths and weaknesses of various forms of government worldwide;
• analyze the influence of major historical documents and ideals on the formation of the United States government.

• explain the characteristics of various forms of government;
• determine the influence of major historical documents and ideals on the formation of the United States government;
• explain the principles of American Constitutional government and how they are realized in its structures and functions;
• describe the state, local, and tribal governments with emphasis on their structures, functions, and powers;
• describe the means of influencing and participating in a republic;
• identify the meaning of basic constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens;
• describe the process of naturalization.

• list the two main forms of government worldwide;
• list the three branches of government in the U.S.;
• list the three levels of federalism;
• explain how to register and where to vote;
• list three of the five guarantees in the First Amendment.