Part One, American Government and U.S. Constitution

Lesson 1: Introduction	Name: _______________________

Reading Assignment:

The 5000 Year Leap: (Forward, pages ix-xi; Preface, pages xiii-xviii; Introduction pages 1-6)

Lesson 1 objectives: As a result of this lesson, the student should be able to discuss the following questions/ topics:

1. Can you give at least three reasons why U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch indicated that he was personally excited about The 5000 Year Leap? (page ix)

Introduction – 'hard knocks have taught us'

Senator Orin Hatch - 3 reasons he favors this:

a. needed today – these 28 Principles – for problems of today

b. our constitution is not out of date!

c. easy to read!

2. According to Senator Hatch, what six groups of people should read and study this book? (x)

6 Groups should read this book:

1, 2, High schools, universities,

3, 4, Congress and Justices of the Supreme Court,

5, 6 White house Staff, Executive Agencies

3. Briefly explain why The 5000 Year Leap was written. (xiii-xv)

Why The 5000 Year Leap was written

- fulfillment of a 40-year ago dream (nagging curiosity why no formula written describing miraculous success of the founders) written by: W Cleon Skoussen 1913- 2006

4. Why did Jamestown seem to be the turning point between the previous 5,000 years and the next 200 years? (1-4)

Jamestown seems to be the turning point

- 1st permanent settlement, in 1607 (lasting settlement)

- financed by English businessmen:

- no private property

- obey laws given

- common ownership

- failed

Pilgrims - Gov Bradford

- Same financiers

- felt Christian character would make a difference

- same rules

- He changed rules:

- gave them right to their own property,

- gave them right to reap their own fruits

- instantly made people more industrious, immediately self-motivated

1607 – 1787

= 180 years period of trial and error

- no tools

- no transportation

- no progress made, same as 5,000 years prior to landing.

Now we have been taken from no tools

to a man walking on the moon in less

all in less than 200 years!

5. Tell of the miraculous effect of the "28 great ideas" upon the United States, as described by President George Washington. (5-6)

George Washington Commentary

- after 2 years of Constitution in place

- prosperity and tranquility reigns (we could have never dreamed, only a madman could have imagined this condition to exist)

Lesson:

I we could just implement these principles, many of our problems could be solved and cause tranquility and prosperity would reign!