Create your own Country

Congratulations! You live on a small island that has finally ended a three year battle with
Jamaica and won independence. Your island country contains two former colonies which
will now become states and form a confederation and you have been appointed to help
outline the new government. You want to create a strong central government while still
respecting the power of the two states.
YOUR TASKS:
You must create the following for your new country:
Part 1: Your government
A constitution to set up your government and contains a preamble, articles that
describe the government, and a bill of rights. Use the Creating a Constitution
outline as your guide.
Part 2: National Symbols
A map of the island that includes a legend, compass rose and names for the
country, east and west states, and east and west cities.
A flag that includes a national symbol
A coin that includes a picture, symbol, slogan, value and date
YOU MAY WORK ALONE ON THIS PROJECT OR WITH ONE PARTNER
Powers and responsibilities that
governments may have:
1. borrow money
2. collect taxes
3. regulate (make laws concerning)
trade
4. coin money
5. establish and regulate
communication (post office)
6. declare war
7. raise and support the military
8. command the military

9. negotiate and adopt treaties

10. regulate immigration
11. regulate education
12. drug abuse prevention and
enforcement
13. maintain roads and infrastructure
14. provide support for the
poor/needy
15. settle disputes between the states

CREATING A CONSTITUTION
Use these questions to help you shape your constitution. Address all of the topics in
sentences, bullet points, or lists.
Part I: The Preamble:
Identify in one or two sentences, at least three goals you want to achieve with your
constitution.
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Part II: Your government
1. What type of government will your country have? Use the table to help you.
Describe how laws will be made and enforced, and by whom.
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2. What powers will the national government have? See the list.
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3. What powers will the state have? See the list.

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4. List any powers that will be shared by both the national and state governments.
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5. How will you make sure that the people who have power will not abuse it?
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6. If it becomes necessary, how will the constitution be amended?
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7. Create a Bill of Rights. List at least five rights that the government will protect.
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NAME: ______________________________________ DATE: _______________ HR:

CREATE YOUR OWN COUNTRY

RUBRIC:
PART ONE: THE CONSTITUTION
_____(5) Preamble Complete sentences describing at least three goals of the
constitution
_____ (10) Description of your government

Type of government has been identified

and described
Powers are assigned

_____ (5) Bill of rights that identifies rights the island government will protect.
/20

POINTS TOTAL

NAME: ________________________________ DATE: __________ HR

CREATE YOUR OWN COUNTRY
RUBRIC
PART TWO: NATIONAL SYMBOLS
_____(5) Map: Neatly and appropriately colored, includes colored key, colored compass
rose. Names printed legibly and in black ink with correct capitalization.
_____ (4) Coin including: picture or symbol on front & back, national slogan, value, date
_____(3) Flag neatly colored with symbol
_____ (3) Original and unified design
/ 15 total
DUE DATE FOR NATIONAL SYMBOLS ___________________________________