Exploring Our World: People, Places, and Cultures

Chapter 15: Russia Today

Web Activity Lesson Plans

"The Russian Constitution"

Introduction
In this chapter, students learned that the Russian government continues to develop as the president and local governments experiment with and learn their political powers. Russia’s government is, however, based on a lengthy constitution that was adopted in December 1993, not long after the Soviet Union collapsed. The Russian constitution lays out a democratic form of government and specifies many personal liberties familiar to Americans. In this activity, students will examine Russia’s constitution and its fundamental ideas.

Lesson Description
Students will examine a Web site that contains the text of the Russian constitution of 1993. Students will answer several questions and then write an essay comparing and contrasting the fundamental principles of the Russian and American governments. Before students begin, discuss the changes that led Russia from communism to democracy, the politicians currently in power in Russia, and the country’s struggles to become truly democratic.

Instructional Objectives

1. The learner will read and interpret a number of the articles found in the Russian constitution.
2. The learner will compare and contrast the fundamental governmental principles of Russia and the United States in an essay.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. either the Russian Federation or Russia
2. According to the Article, the government supports social welfare, and protections will be provided for families, the disabled, the elderly, and other citizens.
3. Article 9; Land and natural resources may be owned by private, State, and municipal sources.
4. Article 15 states that the constitution is the supreme law of the land and individual laws may not contradict the constitution; all government bodies in Russia must observe the constitution; all laws must be published for the general public; and, any international agreements entered into by the government must be followed.
5. Students’ essays will vary depending on the concepts and principles students choose to compare.