In the last unit, we discussed the reasons for why the colonists chose to fight for independence from England as well as what opportunities and challenges the founding fathers faced when creating our constitution. But what does it mean to a country to be able to write their own government? What would happen if that right was taken away and a country's government was created by someone else? That is what we will focus on in this transition lesson.
Beginning Discussion Questions
Please think about the following questions for a few minutes and then share your answers with the people sitting next to you.
In what ways does our constitution affect your daily life?
How much of your pride for our nation is connected to our constitution?
How would these feelings change if our constitution had been written by another country?
Background Information
Together we will read the following article so we can learn more about how Japan's constitution was written.
After we are done reading the article, we will have a brief conversation about it. What surprised you? Do you agree with the idea that the "winning" country should be able to write the new constitution for it's enemy in war?
The Alliance Between Japan & America Today
Ever since the end of the second world war, we have been very close allies with Japan. Together we will take a look at pictures from my trip and I will explain in further detail how our two countries work together.
Japan's Constitution Today
Now, to go back to our original topic, I'd like you to take a look at the following 2 articles. They both focus on what Article 9 of the Japanese constitution says as well as demonstrates the opinions of the Japanese people on this issue.
Once you have read the articles, please have a conversation with the people around you about this issue. Why do some people support amending Article 9? Why are some against it? What implications has the constitution that the U.S. wrote for Japan had on Japanese citizens?