First Congress Unit

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.

• First Congress Unit Introduction | First Congress Unit Introduction 

Each lesson, along with its related handouts, can be downloaded below.

Lesson 1: Rules of Debate

Students learn simplified rules of debate to follow during the mock Congress.

• Lesson 1 Plan | Lesson 1 Plan
  
• Handout 1

Lesson 2: How Does Congress Represent Us?

Students debate theories of representation in the context of the Bill of Rights. (Mock Congress)

• Lesson 2 Plan | Lesson 2 Plan
  
• Handout 2-2| Handout 2-3| Handout 2-4 | Assessments

Lesson 3: Tariff Bill

Students debate proposals to place "imposts" on imports. (Mock Congress)

• Lesson 3 Plan| Lesson 3 Plan
  
• Handout 3-2| Handout 3-3| Assessments

Lesson 4: Funding Bill

Students debate the plan to repay the national debt. (Mock Congress)

• Lesson 4 Plan| Lesson 4 Plan
  
• Handout 4-2 | Handout 4-3 | Assessments

Lesson 5: Removal Resolution

Congress debates who has the power to remove executive officials. (Mock Congress)

• Lesson 5 Plan | Lesson 5 Plan
  
• Handout 5-2 | Handout 5-3 | Assessments

Lesson 6: Assumption Issue and Residence Bill

Students debate proposals to have the federal government assume state debts and to create a permanent capital. Opportunities for compromise await perceptive participants. (Mock Congress)

• Lesson 6 Plan | Lesson 6 Plan
  
• Handout 6-2 | Handout 6-3 | Handout 6-4 | Handout 6-5 | Handout 6-6 | Handout 6-7 | Handout 6-8 | Assessments

Lesson 7: National Bank Bill

Students debate proposals to create a national bank when the power is not specifically granted in the Constitution. (Mock Congress)

• Lesson 7 Plan | Lesson 7 Plan
  
• Handout 7-2 | Handout 7-3 | Assessments

Lesson 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.

• Lesson 8 Plan | Lesson 8 Plan
  
• Handout 8-2

Resources

Additional resources for the First Congress Unit are listed below and include state placards, members of the first U.S. House and Senate, unit acknowledgments and credits, and a complete unit bibliography.

• State Placards:
• Georgia, Presiding Officer, Secretary
• New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts
• Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina
• Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland
• Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey
• Members of the First U.S. Senate
• Members of the First U.S. House of Representatives
• First Congress Unit Acknowledgements & Credits
• First Congress Unit Bibliography

Contact Us

For more information about the First Congress Unit, contact Fran O'Malley.