Early America through the Founding of the New Nation
Virginia SOL VUS.6
Describe the development and significance of the American political system.
What students need to be able to do
- Examine founding documents to explore the development of American constitutional government, emphasizing the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
- Describe the major compromises necessary to produce the U.S. Constitution, including ratification struggles, the Bill of Rights, and key figures.
- Compare the powers granted to citizens, Congress, the president, and the Supreme Court with those reserved to the states.
- Analyze the issues and debates over the role of the federal government and the formation of political parties during the early National Era.
- Explain the significance of Chief Justice John Marshall and the Marbury v. Madison decision.