The Constitution and the Idea of Compromise Why Celebrate Constitution Day? George Washington as Military Leader The Theory of the American Founding, Part 1: Why Government? The Theory of the American Founding, Part 2: Why Government by Consent? The Theory of the American Founding, Part 3: Why Equal Protection of the Law? George Washington and Religious Liberty George Washington and the Problem of Slavery George Washington and the Rule of Law George Washington and Civic Virtue Curriculum Developers

George Washington and Civic Virtue Overview This lesson discusses George Washington as a model of civic virtue. The reading explains the relationship between freedom and limited government then examines Washington’s words and actions to illustrate the civic virtues of civic knowledge, self-restraint, self-assertion, and self-reliance. Discussion questions follow the reading. Objective Students will analyze historical evidence including primary sources to understand George Washington as a model of civic virtue and the importance of civic virtue in a free society. Standards National Council for the Social Studies: Thematic Strands I, II, V, VI, X Arizona Academic Standards, Social Studies: 1SS-E17, E18; 2SS-E3, E7, E8, P1, P5, P10 California History-Social Science Content Standards: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4; 11.1; 12.1, 12.2 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: Social Studies 8.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.16, 8.20, 8.21, 8.23; U.S. Government 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16 Bibliography Richard Brookhiser, Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington (New York: The Free Press, 1996) James Thomas Flexner, Washington: The Indispensable Man (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1969) Edmund S. Morgan, The Genius of George Washington (New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 1980) Thomas G. West, Vindicating the Founders (Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield, 1997) Copyright© 2002 The Claremont Institute. All rights reserved.