Chapter 1 – “One Republic – Two Americas?”
Key Terms to Know:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
7.
8.
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10.
11.
Anarchy
Aristocracy
Authoritarianism
Capitalism
Conservatism
Democracy
Democratic
Republic
Direct Democracy
Elite Theory
Government
Ideology
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Initiative
Liberalism
Libertarianism
Liberty
Limited
Government
Majoritarianism
Oligarchy
Puralism
Political Culture
Political
Socialization
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Politics
Property
Recall
Referendum
Representative
Government
Republic
Social Contract
Socialism
Totalitarian Regime
Reading Comprehension Questions
Responses MUST be answered in complete sentences.
Politics and Government
1. Why are governments necessary?
2. Democracies get their powers from whom?
3. What did John Locke believe in? If Government violates the Social Contract what do the people
have a right to do?
4. Define and explain Political Culture and Political Socialization.
5. When the United States is faced with national security threats, it tends to do what (think
Japanese internment, Alien & Sedition Acts)?
6. To whom did political leaders in the U.S. extend equal rights to first?
Why choose Democracy?
7. Define and Explain Totalitarianism & Anarchy. Name a country that is under each form of
government.
8. Define and Explain Authoritarianism.
9. Define and Explain Direct Democracy.
10. Define and Explain Initiative, Referendum and Recall
11. Why the Framers of the Constitution not create a direct democracy?
12. The Framers of the Constitution chose to create what type of government?
13. Define and Explain a Republic?
14. Define and Explain a Democratic Republic?
Who Really Rules in America?
15. Define and Explain Majority Rule. Why can Majoritarianism be harmful?
16. Define and Explain limited Government
17. Define and Explain Elitism
18. Define and Explain Pluralism. What is one fear that many people have in pluralism?
19. What are characteristics of Liberals, Conservatives, Moderates, and Libertarians. List 3 features
for each.
The Challenge of Change
20. List 3 current issues the U.S. government faces today?
21. What changes will the US face in the upcoming years?
a. Social Security and Medicare – Why are more people demanding it?
b. Demographic changes – What is the political significance of the growing Hispanic
population?
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Day 1 – Playdoh Democracy (Minimum Day)
Good Morning Training
Pass out syllabus & books
Playdoh Current Issues
o Immigration
o Environment
o Wealth Gap
o Minimum Wage
o Gay Marriage
o Race & Confederate Flag
o Donald Trump - Rise of Hispanic demographic
Upload to #MrKoganhistory
If time remains, go over syllabus
Homework is study guide along with Friday’s quiz.
HW: Get syllabus signed, Read Chapter 1, Go over Study Guide,
Prepare Senior Quote on the Wall
Day 2 –
Lesson 2 – Why Choose Democracy? (CONSIDER THIS FOR 2 HOUR PERIOD)
Warm Up: Why should you care about politics, power and government?
 Perhaps show video of Arab Spring
 Play Card Game
 Skits (performance with hidden roles)
 Overview of Direct Democracy vs. Representative Dem
Skits – Focus on Direct vs. Representative
1. Totalitarianism
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Democracy
Anarchy
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Authoritarianism
Direct Democracy (Recall, Initiative, Referendum) vs. Representative
Democracy.
 For each one Define
 One positive and one negative aspect of the rule.
 Perform Skit with Hidden Roles and representing each role.
Lesson 3 – Political Socialization – Consider this day 2
Students should know the following terms: Conservative, Liberal, Moderate,
Libertarian, Republican, Democrat, Elitism, Pluralism, Majoritarianism.
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Students complete political survey.
Then they answer warm-up questions
post their response on the board
Then go over what it means to be a conservative and liberal
Four Corners Activity
Review the Key Concepts Using PowerPoint
Complete Study Guide for Friday’s Quiz
1. The Government should do what the majority of people want?
MAJORITY RULES! (Majoritarianism)
2. The government should make healthcare FREE like in Europe, which
means everyone must pay higher taxes. (Majoritarianism)
3. Gay marriage should have been decided by the states not the
government. (DO Adam and Eve, not adam & steve) (Majoritarianism)
4. The United States is a better off country when it run by elites (educated,
wealthy, privileged minority) than ordinary people? (elitism)
5. America is best when people of different interests compete for the best
ideas and compromise on their issues. (pluralism)
6. You should always compromise. (pluralism)
7. I can tell what kind of issues you believe in just by looking at your
gender, race and where you come from? (bias/ideology)
8. The Government should stay out Business. It should not tell me how
much I should pay my workers. NO GOVERNMENT REGULATION.
(traditional political spectrum – socialism vs libertarianism)
9. You should always do what the government says because the government
is acting on the greater good.
10. Economic Conservative –
11. Should a business, based on religious beliefs, be able to deny service to
a customer?
12. Should the government increase environmental regulations to prevent
global warming?
13. Do you support increased gun control?
14. Do you support the legalization of Marijuana? learn more
15. Should the government decrease military spending?
16. Should illegal immigrants be given access to government-subsidized
healthcare?
17. Government regulation is necessary to protect the environment and
public interest
18. Most people who want to get ahead can make it if they’re willing to work
hard.
19. Just because you work hard and are determined it is not a guarantee for
success.
20. Relying too much on military force creates more enemies than friends.
21. Racial discrimination is the main reason why black people can’t get
ahead these days. Blacks are responsible for their own condition.
22. Corportaions make too much these days.
23. Poor people today have it easy because they can get government
benefits without doing anything in return.
24. Immigration threatens/strengthens America
25. Government is always wasteful
26. Success in life is determined by forces outside of your control. OR
Everyone has its their own power in their own hands.
27. American needs to give up privacy and freedom in order to feel safe?