GEORGIA STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

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HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDINGS

SS4H1 Explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution.

 a. Trace the events that shaped the revolutionary movement in America: French and Indian War, 1765 Stamp Act, the slogan “no taxation without representation,” the activities of the Sons of Liberty, the activities of the Daughters of Liberty, Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party. 

b. Describe the influence of key individuals and groups during the American Revolution: King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Paul Revere, and Black regiments.

c. Describe the major events of the American Revolution and explain the factors leading to American victory and British defeat; include the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, and Yorktown. 

d. Explain the writing of the Declaration of Independence; include who wrote it, how it was written, why it was necessary, and how it was a response to tyranny and the abuse of power. 

SS4H2 Analyze the challenges faced by the framers of the Constitution. 

a. Identify the major leaders of the Constitutional Convention (James Madison, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin). 

b. Evaluate the major issues debated at the Constitutional Convention: the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the rights of states to govern themselves (federal system), the Great Compromise, and slavery (Three-Fifths Compromise).  

GOVERNMENT / CIVIC UNDERSTANDINGS

SS4CG1 Describe the meaning of: 

a. Natural rights as found in the Declaration of Independence (the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) 

b. “We the People” from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution as a reflection of consent of the governed or popular sovereignty 

c. The federal system of government in the U.S. (federal powers, state powers, and shared powers) 

d. Representative democracy/republic 

SS4CG2 Explain the importance of freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 

SS4CG3 Describe the structure of government and the Bill of Rights. 

a. Describe how the three branches of government interact with each other (checks and balances and separation of powers), and how they relate to local, state, and federal government. 

b. Identify and explain the rights in the Bill of Rights, describe how the Bill of Rights places limits on the powers of government, and explain the reasons for its inclusion in the Constitution in 1791.