Summary: Students will review several historical documents; identify the principles of equality, liberty and consent of the governed; and assess how they relate to the historical foundation of New Jersey and the United States. In addition, students will be asked to draw conclusions about the extent and nature of religious and political liberties that were guaranteed by colonial governments to their citizens.
Overarching questions:
- CIVICS: Have the concepts of liberty, justice and/or equality changed during the time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
- NEW JERSEY: How have changes in New Jersey during this time period influenced U.S. history?
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsPI.1.a: Explain how British North American colonies adapted the British governance structure to fit their ideas of individual rights, economic growth, and participatory government
- 6.1.12.CivicsPD.1.a: Use multiple sources to analyze the factors that led to an increase in the political rights and participation in government.
Link to Lesson: Democracy and Governance in Colonial New Jersey