First Congress Unit - Lesson 2

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The Representative Role of Congress: Should There Be a Right to “Instruct?”

One of the most significant roles of Congress that needs to be investigated by students prior to engaging in a mock legislative simulation focuses on the role that members of Congress play in representing the people. The central questions are; (1) does Congress have an obligation to legislate or act according to the will of the people (i.e., instructed-delegate theory) or, (2) should Congress consider itself a body that has been elected to make decisions for the people (i.e., trustee theory)? In this lesson, students will debate one of the proposed amendments to the Constitution with a focus on the motion that the people retain the right to "instruct" their representatives.

Targeted Audience: Students of early American history and government.

Goals: This lesson is designed to help students understand (a) the roles that Congress plays in representing constituents, (b) the role that Congress plays in amending the Constitution, and (3) the role that the First Congress played in creating a federal government with limited powers in which the rights of the people were protected.

Focus Questions

  • What role does Congress play in the amendment process?
  • What guidelines should members of Congress follow in deciding how to weigh the opinions of their constituents?

Time to Complete: 1-2 class periods

Standards Addressed

Delaware
History 1 (6-8): Examine historical materials relating to a particular…society…and analyze change over time.
History 2 (6-8): Examine historical documents…and other materials, and analyze them in terms of credibility, as well as the purpose, perspective, or point of view for which they were constructed.
Civics 2 (6-8): Understand the principles and content of major American state papers such as…the Bill of Rights….

National
Civics Standard III, B, 1(Grades 9-12):

  • Students should evaluate the extent to which each branch of the government reflects the people’s sovereignty.
  • Students should explain how and why beliefs about the purposes and functions of the national government have changed over time.

Students should evaluate current issues concerning representation.
Civics Standard II, D, 2 (Grades 6-8):

  • Students should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on issues in which fundamental values and principles are in conflict.
Materials Needed
  1. Copies of Handout 1, and Handouts 2-2 through 2-4 (see Unit Resources)
  2. Class set of sticky notes
  3. Optional - Copies of the portraits of the following members of the First Federal Congress: James Madison, Elbridge Gerry, Thomas Tudor Tucker, Thomas Hartley, Roger Sherman, Michael Jenifer Stone (see Margaret C. S. Christman’s The First Federal Congress: 1789-1791)
Prior Knowledge Needed
  1. The proposal to add a bill of rights was unanimously rejected at the Constitutional Convention.
  2. Pressure on the First Congress to add amendments, including a bill of rights, became a central issue during the ratification debates and the first federal elections.

Terms to Know: amendment, ratify, bill of rights, instruct, constituent.

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For more information, contact Fran O’Malley (302-831-8443).