Popular Sovereignty Annenberg Classroom

Leo Migdal

-Nov 24, 2025, 4:31 AM

Popular sovereignty is government based on consent of the people. The government’s source of authority is the people, and its power is not legitimate if it disregards the will of the people. Government established by free choice of the people is expected to serve the people, who have sovereignty, or supreme power. There are four ways that popular sovereignty is expressed in a democracy. Popular sovereignty was asserted as a founding principle of the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence of 1776 asserts that legitimate governments are those ‘‘deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.’’ Later, in 1787, the framers of the U.S.

Constitution proclaimed popular sovereignty in the document’s Preamble: ‘‘We the people of the United States . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.’’ Popular sovereignty was also expressed in Article VII of the Constitution, which required that nine states approve the proposed framework of government... The people of the several American states chose representatives to ratifying conventions who freely decided to approve the Constitution in the name of those who elected them. Popular sovereignty was also included in Article V of the Constitution, which provides the means to amend the Constitution through the elected representatives of the people.

Finally, popular sovereignty is reflected in two different parts of the Constitution that require members of Congress to be elected directly by the people: Article I pertaining to the House of Representatives and the... The founding of the United States and the framing of its Constitution heralded the idea of popular sovereignty as the standard by which popular government should be established and sustained. The American example, exceptional in the late 18th century, has become a world-class standard of legitimacy for governments in the 21st century. No country can realistically claim to be a democracy unless it proclaims constitutionally and implements functionally the principle of popular sovereignty. Ask students to work collaboratively to develop their own definitions of "popular sovereignty, including what it meant to the Framers and what it means to the American public today. How does the principle look in real-world situations?

How is this abstract ideal translated into the structure of government and its operations? Ask students to compare their observations regarding popular sovereignty to educational materials used by America in its attempt to help transform Iraq from a dictatorship to a representative democracy. Using the factsheet, Popular Sovereignty: Iraq Coalition Education Program, provided by the Department of Defense, ask student groups to create a Venn diagram, comparing their thoughts with the ideas presented to the Iraqi people. The lesson, Rule of Law developed by iCivics, asks students to imagine their communities or the nation if laws were not enforced. Encourage six groups to use the scripts provided and conduct a readers theater about the rule of law. What aspects of this principle do students find questionable as it relates to stories in the news?

Do students agree that the principle is supported by all government authorities? Why or why not? Encourage student groups to create an original readers theater script, explaining the principles of justice associated with the rule of law, targeted for an audience of citizens who recently emerged from rule by a... Encourage students to extend their understandings of the rule of law and popular sovereignty, beginning with a review of the concept of Majority rule/Minority rights, using a brief narrative from the Annenberg Classroom. Ask students to consider the proposition, "Is the majority capable of becoming tyrants?" Under what circumstances from history did the majority threaten the rights of the individual or a minority? Invite students to examine contemporary news events in which a majority might be viewed as failing to assure of the rights of the few.

Ask students to apply their knowledge of the 14th Amendment and its equal protection clause to the 20th century landmark case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, using a collection of primary sources provided by the Bill of Rights Institute. How does the 14th Amendment support the concept and principle of the rule of law? Encourage students to assume the role of a court justice and write an opinion to the case, demonstrating their understandings of constitutional principles. 14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause) Annenberg Classroom’s short documentary “The First Amendment: New York Times v.

Sullivan” has won a Silver Award in the 4th Annual Anthem Awards. A new Annenberg Classroom film explores the history of constitutional protection against “cruel and unusual punishment” Annenberg Classroom has released a new educational film on the landmark First Amendment freedom of the press case New York Times v. Sullivan. Annenberg Classroom has released a new film exploring the history of Juneteenth and illustrating how and why freedom and citizenship were intertwined. In advance of Constitution Day, September 17, Annenberg Classroom has released a new film on the First Amendment's freedom of speech when it comes to students in schools.

The Constitution rests on the idea of popular sovereignty—a government in which the people rule. As the nation changed and grew, popu- lar sovereignty took on new meaning. A broader range of Americans shared in the power to govern themselves. What principle of government is the 19th amendment? The Nineteenth Amendment provides: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

It states that the “right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” It then gives... Which is an example of the principle of popular sovereignty? Ask students to define the following terms: Ask students to explain why the American colonists listed so many charges against King George III in the Declaration of Independence Ask students why the Preamble of the Constitution begins with the words “We the People,” and what is significant about that statement. Ask students to describe what would happen if government ceased to exist (alternatively, ask students what essential services does government provide, or, why government is necessary).

Ask students what the phrase “taxation without representation” means. Popular Sovereignty is the idea that the power lies with the people. Popular sovereignty in the 19th century emerged as a compromise strategy for determining whether a Western territory would permit or prohibit slavery. It was first promoted in the 1840s in response to debates over western expansion, residents of a territory, and not the government be allowed to decide on slavery within their borders. This shows that popular sovereignty is been around for many years. people want to make so decisions without the government telling them what not to do.

In the making of the constitution, the people are involved through their representatives in the making of a constitution, it even starts as "We the people". Popular sovereignty was also included throughout the Constitution, the people indicate support for their government when they vote in public elections for members of Congress. in Article I, it says that the House of Representatives are elected by voters. In the 17th Amendment, also says that voters elected the senators. As we can see in the constitution it says that the people, the voters elected the people that are going to represent them. As we already know we also pick the president.

In today's society popular sovereignty is showed by how voters wanted a change for the 2020 election. The president that we had was not a great one and people wanted a change. As we already know we the people had the right to vote for a new president. This shows that popular sovereignty is been around for a long time and it’s been used in society. “Popular Sovereignty.” U-s-History.com, 2021, www.u-s-history.com/pages/h228.html. Accessed 27 Sept.

2021. Free classroom resources for teaching the Constitution. Annenberg Classroom's free resources include over 65 videos on constitutional concepts and Supreme Court cases as well as games, lesson plans, timelines, downloadable books, a glossary, and a Constitution guide. For teachers, lesson plans on Supreme Court cases, constitutional concepts, and critical thinking skills; a guide that connects resources to the Constitution's articles and amendments; and recommendations for civics resources. For students, the Annenberg Constitution Guide: What It Says, What It Means; games; Constitution-related timelines; downloadable books; and a glossary of terms. What is the story of Juneteenth?

Why do we celebrate this newly designated federal holiday, and how is it connected to one of the most cherished American ideals: freedom? This film explores the history of Juneteenth and illustrates how and why freedom and citizenship were intertwined, as well as how the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution changed and expanded the... Explore the concept of popularity sovereignty with these teaching materials that also includes a powerpoint and scaffolded notes and station based learning. This cooperative learning will expand automate your classroom.

Popular Sovereignty Annenberg Classroom

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