Virginia SOL CE.1

What students need to be able to do

• Explain the fundamental principles of limited government, republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty.
• Describe the Magna Carta, English common law, the charters of the Virginia Company of London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and their influence on the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions.
• Compare and contrast debates, compromises, and plans surrounding the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
• Describe the purpose of the U.S. Constitution as stated in its preamble.
• Explain fundamental concepts of the U.S. government including due process, equal justice under the law, equal protection, elections, representative government, limited government, right to private property, rule of law, Supremacy Clause, and separation of powers.
• Describe the procedures for amending the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions.