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The Great Law

SAS Museum

 

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The Great Law

Grade Levels

10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade

Course, Subject

Civics and Government, Economics, History
Related Academic Standards
5.1.4.D 5.1.4.D

Identify key ideas about government found in significant documents:

  • Declaration of Independence
  • United States Constitution
  • Bill of Rights
  • Pennsylvania Constitution
5.1.8.A 5.1.8.A

Identify the sources of the rule of law.
5.1.8.C 5.1.8.C

Analyze the principles and ideas that shaped local, Pennsylvania, and national governments.

  • Liberty / Freedom
  • Democracy
  • Justice
  • Equality
5.1.8.D 5.1.8.D

Summarize the basic principles and ideals within documents and the roles played by the framers as found in significant documents:

  • Declaration of Independence
  • United States Constitution
  • Bill of Rights
  • Pennsylvania Constitution
5.1.8.E 5.1.8.E
Compare and contrast the individual rights guaranteed by the PA Constitution versus the U.S. Constitution.
Expand
  • Big Ideas
    Adherence to the rule of law validates an individual’s responsibility to society.
    Citizens understand their rights and practice their responsibilities in a vibrant society.
    The history of the Commonwealth continues to influence Pennsylvanians today, and has impacted the United States and the rest of the world.
  • Concepts
    Biography is a historical construct used to reveal positive and/or negative influences an individual can have on Pennsylvania’s society.
    Society can only exist and thrive if there is confidence in the rule of law and its authority. Failure to meet the obligations of the rule of law must entail appropriate consequences.
    State and local history can offer an individual judicious understanding about one’s self in the dimensions of time and space.
    State and local history can offer an individual, discerning judgment in public and personal life, supply examples for living, and thinking about one’s self in the dimensions of time and space.
    Textual evidence, material artifacts, the built environment, and historic sites are central to understanding the history of Pennsylvania.
    The rights and civil liberties granted by the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are to be safeguarded by both governments and citizens.
  • Competencies
    Analyze a primary source for accuracy and bias and connect it to a time and place in Pennsylvania.
    Analyze how a variety of news organizations report the same event, mindful of accuracy.
    Care for other citizens in the community.
    Follow rules.
    Help others in the community.
    Identify and analyze where a household's tax obligations are bound at the local, state, and national levels.
    Identify and analyze where a household's tax obligations are used at the local, state, and national levels
    Identify areas of volunteer opportunities in the community (how is the volunteerism being conducted?).
    Synthesize a rationale for the study of individuals in Pennsylvania history.
    Teach younger community citizens.

Rationale

The Great Law establishes the foundations of Pennsylvania government and political philosophy.

Description

The Great Law is a series of early colonial statutes establishing William Penn's philosophy of religious freedom.  Many of the laws incorporated Quaker ideals such as no state sponsored religion, humane correction for law breakers, and prison reform, as well as establishing the structure for civil law, court proceedings, and taxation.

Content Provider

This document has been provided courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Archives, an agency of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.

Resource

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=8642&PageID=608722&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/cop_environment/phmc/communities/extranet/history/ourdocumentaryheritage/1681___1776/great_law.html

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