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Lesson 36: How Have American Political Ideas and the American Constitutional System Influenced Other Nations?
Lesson Purpose
The ideas in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights have inspired other countries seeking to create independent, democratic governments. This lesson examines some of the challenges associated with using the American constitutional model in other parts of the world.
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to identify which aspects of the American constitutional system have been influential elsewhere. You should be able to explain why some countries and international organizations have chosen to modify the American system or to use other types of democratic systems. You also should be able to explain how the Bill of Rights has influenced other countries and how some countries have adopted bills of rights that are considerably different. Finally, you should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on why some aspects of American constitutional democracy that have been effective in the United States have not been used in other countries.
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to identify which aspects of the American constitutional system have been influential elsewhere. You should be able to explain why some countries and international organizations have chosen to modify the American system or to use other types of democratic systems. You also should be able to explain how the Bill of Rights has influenced other countries and how some countries have adopted bills of rights that are considerably different. Finally, you should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on why some aspects of American constitutional democracy that have been effective in the United States have not been used in other countries.
Lesson Objectives
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to
- identify which aspects of the American constitutional system have been influential elsewhere,
- explain why some countries and international organizations have chosen to modify the American system or to use other types of democratic systems,
- explain how the Bill of Rights has influenced other countries and how some countries have adopted bills of rights that are considerably different, and
- evaluate, take, and defend positions on why some aspects of American constitutional democracy that have been effective in the United States have not been used in other countries.
Lesson Terms
human rights
Basic rights and freedoms said to belong to all people everywhere. See Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Lesson Biographies
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945 CE)
Thirty-second president of the United States, the only person to be elected to the office four times. He served during the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II.
Carter, James Earl (1924-0 BCE)
Lesson Primary Sources
Declaration of Independence (1776)
The Declaration of Independence is a proclamation passed by Congress on July 2, 1776, and issued on July 4, announcing the separation of the "United Colonies" from Britain and the formation of a new nation, the United States of America. The document listed reasons for the separation and a philosophical argument in defense of the action.
French Constitution of 1791
Constitution of May 3, 1791 (Constitution of Poland), 1791
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, 1949
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
United States Bill of Rights
United States Constitution
International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights 1976
Declaration of Independence 1776
International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1976)
