This unit contains eight lessons that focus on major bills,
amendments, and issues debated by the First Federal Congress
(FFC). Most of the lessons are part of an ongoing simulation
or, more specifically, mock Congress.
The primary goal of the instructional activities is to help
students understand some of the roles that Congress plays
in our government as illustrated by some of the debates that
took place at the First Federal Congress.
(see full Introduction to the Unit)
| Lesson | Description | |
| 1 | Rules of Debate | Students learn simplified rules of debate to follow during
the mock Congress. |
| 2 | How Does Congress Represent Us? | Mock Congress – students debate theories of representation
in the context of the Bill of Rights. |
| 3 | Tariff Bill | Mock Congress – students debate proposals to place "imposts"
on imports. |
| 4 | Funding Bill | Mock Congress – students debate the plan to repay the
national debt. |
| 5 | Removal Resolution | Mock Congress – Congress debates who has the power to
remove executive officials. |
| 6 | Assumption Issue and Residence Bill | Mock Congress – students debate proposals to have the
federal government assume state debts and to create a permanent
capital. Opportunities for compromise await perceptive participants. |
| 7 | National Bank Bill | Mock Congress – students debate proposals to create
a national bank when the power is not specifically granted
in the Constitution. |
| 8 | Unit Review | Students complete a chart to review major decisions of the First Federal Congress and how they relate to the roles of Congress. |
For more information, contact Fran O’Malley (302-831-8443).
