Unit 5: Citizenship II: You and Politics
Unit 5: Citizenship II: You and Politics
“Political Parties and the Election Process”
Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 1: A Two Party System (pp252-258)
Learning Questions:
1) What is the role of political parties in the United States?
2) How did political parties develop in the United States?
3) How did one-party and two-party political systems differ?
Section 10.1 Vocabulary:
political party; nominate; candidates; two-party system; multiparty system; coalition;
third parties; one-party-system
Focus Point:
Nowhere in the Constitution is there a provision for ‘political parties’. However, they do play a major
role in the American democratic process. Many Americans join the political party that offers more
assistance to them in living their life and that will meet their basic needs than perhaps the other
political parties. These political parties help American people govern themselves in our ‘democratic
republic’. At this point in American government, there are two main political parties----Democrats
and Republicans.
Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 1: A Two-Party System (pp252-258)
A. Role of Political Parties
B. Beginnings of the Two-Party System: Washington’s Farewell Address
C. The Democratic and Republican Parties
D. Advantages of Two-Party Systems
E. Third Parties
F. One-Party Governments
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Unit 5: Citizenship II: You and Politics
Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 2: Political Party Organization (pp259-263)
Learning Questions:
1) What are the committees that help major political parties, and what are their responsibilities?
2) Where do political parties get their money, and why does Congress regulate political contributions?
3) How does the Federal Election Campaign Act regulate federal campaigns?
Section 10.2 Vocabulary:
precincts; polling place
Focus Point:
To work effectively, a political party must be well organized; it must have good leaders; possess
committees that are staffed by self-sacrificing volunteers that will carry out the party’s programs and
campaign strategies. It also must be organized at the local, state, and national levels. The party must
be able to raise money to pay its expenses of getting its candidates elected to public office. Over the
years, political party members have put in place procedures for carrying out all of the above activities.
Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 2: Political Party Organization (pp259-263)
A. Party Committees: National; State Central; Local
B. Local Party Organizations
C. Political Party Finances
D. Public Financing
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Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 3: The Right To Vote (pp264-266)
Learning Questions:
1) Who can vote in US elections, and how is this right protected?
2) What is the difference between primary elections and general elections?
3) How has the voting process changed over the years?
Section 10.3 Vocabulary:
independent voters; primary election; general election; closed primary; open primary;
runoff; grassroots; secret ballots; straight ticket; split ticket
Focus Point:
The right to vote is one of the most important rights held by all US
citizens when they reach the age of 18. It is through the voting process
that all Americans can let their “voice” be heard. It is the way in which all
citizens can directly affect the actions of government.
Unit 5: Citizenship II: You and Politics
Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 3: The Right To Vote (pp264-266)
A. State Qualifications for Voting
B. Registering to Vote
C. Voting Rights Act of 1965
D. Primary Elections
E. Independent Candidates
F. General Elections
G. Voting in the Past
H. Voting Today
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Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 4: Nominating and Electing Our Leaders (pp270-275)
Learning Questions:
1) What is the purpose of national nominating conventions, and how are convention delegates
chosen?
2) What is the nomination process at the national conventions?
3) What are some methods of presidential campaigning?
4) What is the main purpose of the electoral college?
Section 10.4 Vocabulary:
presidential primaries; party platform; favorite sons or daughters; popular vote; electors;
electoral college; electoral votes
Focus Point:
Every four years the country gets excited about a new presidential election. Informed voters follow the
presidential campaign everyday through the newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and even the
Internet. Americans usually like a good, hard-fought battle for the nation’s highest public office, but
they like a fair and honest campaign by all participants. .
Unit 5: Chap 10: Sec 4: Nominating and Electing Our Leaders (pp270-275)
A. Convention Delegates
B. National Nominating Conventions: Selecting a Platform
C. Presidential Candidates: Nominations; Favorite Sons/Daughters; Balloting
D. Vice Presidential Candidates
E. The Election Campaign
F. The Electoral College
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Unit 5: Citizenship II: You and Politics
Unit 5: Chap 11: Sec 3: Taking Part in Government (pp291-295)
Learning Questions:
1) What are the four ways that all citizens can participate in government?
2) Why is voting important, and why do so few US citizens vote?
3) How do volunteers and interest groups help political campaigns?
Section 11.3 Vocabulary:
political action committees (PACs); volunteers
Focus Point:
Americans can participate in government in so many ways. They can vote in local, state, and national
elections. They can work for political parties or campaign for certain individuals. They can speak out o
n public issues that really concern them. As good citizens, it is every American’s responsibility to
participate in these activities. They are so important to the preservation of a democratic government.
Unit 5: Chap 11: Sec 3: Taking Part in Government (pp291-295)
A. Voting—Democracy in Action
B. Every Vote Counts: Woodrow Wilson & Charles Evans Hughes; 2000 Presidential Election
C. Taking Part in Political Campaigns
D. Interest Groups and Political Campaigns
E. Contacting Public Officials
F. Community Action
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