1
SUN #1 – Government
Student Contact #1:________________
Student Contact #1 Phone:______________
Student Contact #1 Email:_______________
Student Contact #2:____________________
Student Contact #2 Phone:_______________
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McDermott Email: Recluse45@ca.rr.com
McDermott Website: www.mcdermotthistory.net
Table Of Contents
Page Assignment
1. Student Contact/Table of Contents
2. Table of Contents Continued
3. My Grade Page/Due Date
4. (Process: Government and the State *
5. Notes: Government and the State
6. Process: Basic Concepts of Democracy *
7. Notes: Basic Concepts of Democracy
8. US v. ALA: Supreme Court */
9. Declaration of Independence
10.
(Process: Our Political Beginnings *
11.
Notes: Our Political Beginnings
12.
(Process: The Coming of Independence *
13.
Notes: The Coming of Independence
14.
Process: The Critical Period *
15.
Notes: The Critical Period
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Political Orientation Quiz *
Political Orientation
(Process: Creating the Constitution *
Notes: Creating the Constitution
(Study Guide #1 **/
Study Guide #1
Study Guide
Study Guide
(Process: Six Principles of The Constitution *
Notes: Six Principles
(Supreme Court (pg. 109) */
The First 10 Amendments
Process: Formal Amendments *
Notes: Formal Amendments
(Process: Parties and Two-Party System *
Notes: Parties and Two-Party System
Process: Historical Political Parties *
Notes: Historical Political Parties
Film: Recount */
Supreme Court (pg. 173) */
Process: The Minor Parties *
Notes: The Minor Parties
Process: Voter Behavior *
Notes: Voter Behavior
Study Guide Test #2 **/
40
Study Guide Test #2
Formal Amendment
Methods of How Amendments are Enacted ****
Bill of Rights
Political Party
Major Parties
Partisanship
Party in Power
Minor Party
Two-Party System
Plurality
Bipartisan
Consensus
Incumbent
Era of the Democrats **
Era of the Republicans **
The Return of the Democrats **
The New (Modern) Era **
Electorate
Sectionalism
Ideological Parties
Single Issue Parties
Economic Protest Parties
Splinter Parties
Why Minor Parties Are Important ***
Off-year Elections
Cannot Voters
Political Efficacy
Political Socialization
Gender Gap
Split-ticket Voting
Straight-Ticket Voting
Independents
Apportioned
Reapportion
Gerrymandered
Wesberry v. Sanders
Qualifications for House Members **
Be Aware of the Following: Film: Recount, Differences
between House and Senate, court cases that we looked at
(Oregon v. Mitchell, Printz v. U.S.)
39
Notes: Voter Behavior
Nonvoters – They are idiots (from the Greek word meaning nonvoters). The number of people that don’t vote in major elections
are in the 10s of millions.
For example, in the highly contested 2000 election only 51.2%
of the electorate (people who can vote) did vote. (About 100
million people over voting age did not vote that year)
WHY? Why don’t people vote – 1. “Cannot-Voters” includes
resident aliens, people who are sick, travelling suddenly, mental
health holds, incarcerated in jail or prisons, religious beliefs do
not allow them to vote, and other lesser logistical problems that
do not allow them to vote. (Less than 20 million) 2. Actual
Nonvoters includes people that have very low political efficacy.
They usually believe either their vote will make no difference,
or they see the candidates as having no difference between them.
Also, people who are genuinely satisfied with their life and
politics so they don’t need to cast a vote because they feel
nothing will change that great situation they are in.
Voters Are: 1. Higher level of income. 2. Higher level of
education 3. Higher level of occupational status. 4. Well
integrated into their community. 5. Strong level of party
identification. 6. Believe voting is important. 7. Live in areas
where voter turnout is promoted.
Actual Voting Behavior – This has been studied for a very long
time and massive amounts of data have been examined. To
Study voting behavior they look at – 1. Results of Elections 2.
Survey Research 3. Political Socialization studies (how people
form their political opinions).
Factors that Effect Voting Behavior (and voters) – Sociological
Factors: These include all the groups that you are a part of –
Family, friends, jobs, education, gender, age group, race, etc.
Psychological Factors: These include how someone FEELS or
thinks about a particular candidate or that candidates’ party.
This would include Party Identification and how a person views
the candidate and the issues the candidate stands for.
38
Process: Voting Behavior
1. How would you characterize voting in this country? Do
you think there is a non-voting problem? Why? (10)
2. Put together a person’s (or your own) factors for voting.
Use 4 sociological and 3 psychological factors when
putting together this characterization sheet. Then explain
how that person might vote in relationship to those factors.
37
Notes: The Minor Parties
What kind of Minor Political Parties do we have in the U.S.? 1. Ideological Parties – These are parties that have a set
ideological agenda. They have a way of thinking about stuff
that is set and unchanging. These would include: Socialist
Labor, Communist Party, Libertarian Party.
2. Single-Issue Parties – A party that focuses on just one single
issue. These parties are usually Very small, however they raise
large awareness for their one issue. These would include:
“Know Nothings” (immigration), Right to Life Party (abortion),
and Free Soil Party (slavery). These parties usually “die” off
after the issue has been addressed.
3. Economic Protest Party – These come about to address a
serious economic concern within the country. They usually
scape-goat (blame) an “enemy” of what is causing the economic
hardship. They focus on issues that would fix the problems
created in that economic issue. These would include:
Greenback Party (farming), Populist Party (Private property),
and the Tea Party (Tax and Spending policies).
4. Splinter Parties – These are parties that have split away from
larger parties for more ideological reasons. They are similar to
their original party (Democrat or Republican) however they
have taken key stands on some issues which differ. These
would include: Bull Moose Party (Roosevelt – from the
Republicans), the Reform Party (Perot – from the Republicans)
the Green Party (Nader – from the Democrats)
Why are Minor Parties Important? - 1. They can experiment and
do things that are interesting and new much easier than
established major parties. 2. They can “spoil” an election
causing the candidate who would most likely win to lose. 3.
They can force the major parties to take clear-cut stands on
particular issues. 4. Their ideas can be adopted by major parties
very easily.
36
Process: The Minor Parties
1. Of the different types of minor parties which one would
you most likely belong to if you had to? Why? (10)
2. Explain in your own words the most important reasons why
we have minor parties. Can you think of any other reasons
why we should have minor parties? Why?
33
Notes: Historical Political Parties
Our nation has had fairly stable political parties, however the
history of those parties is worth understanding. When the nation
was first formed after the Constitution was ratified we in essence
had two political parties – Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The
Federalists won the first couple of presidential elections,
however with the election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson was
elected.
-The Era of the Democrats: 1800-1860 – This begins with
the election of Jefferson who was an Anti-Federalist and
stressed less government involvement from the federal level.
Andrew Jackson was another president during this time and with
him he did three key things: 1. Increased the electorate (more
voters) 2. Increased the number of elections for government
officials 3. Increased the usage of the spoils system (to the
victor goes the spoils). The era ended with the election of
Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War.
-The Era of the Republicans: 1860-1932 – Begins with the
Civil War and because the North won the Republicans supported
industrialization more so they won more elections especially
early on. During this time other presidents such as McKinley,
Roosevelt (Teddy) and Taft, moved the nation toward a more
unified America.
-The Return of the Democrats: 1932-1968 – With the onset
of the Great Depression the Democrats came to power with FDR
(Franklin Roosevelt) winning an unprecedented 4 terms. During
this period presidents like FDR, Truman, and Kennedy had to
deal with WWII, the Cold War, and eventually Civil Rights and
Vietnam.
- The New Era (Modern Era): 1968-Today – With the
election of Nixon in ’68 we have seen a political back and forth
with no one particular party having a clear advantage over the
other. Key presidents from this period are Nixon, Carter,
Reagan, Clinton, W. Bush, and now Obama.
32
Process: History of Political Parties
1. Which era do you think was the most influential in
American political history? Why? (10)
2. Which presidents (at least 3) do you think were the most
critical in defining American Presidential Politics? Why?
31
Notes: Parties and Two-Party System
What is a Political Party – group of persons who seek to control
government through the winning of elections and the holding of
public office. The two major parties are the Democrats and
Republicans. A larger definition that would fit political parties
throughout the world (and several minor parties here) is: A
group of persons, joined together on the basis of common
principles, who seek to control government in order to affect
certain public policies.
What do the parties (Rs and Ds) do? 1. Nominate Candidates:
They pick candidates for elections who have the best chance of
winning. 2. Informing and Activating Supporters: They try to
get as many people actively supporting their candidate so that
they have a better chance to win the election. 3. The Bonding
Agent Function: The party picks someone who has the
qualifications necessary to win, and usually the characteristics
necessary to not give the party a bad name. 4. Governing:
Party members usually vote by party line (partisanship –
agreeing and voting the same way as the other party members).
This allows them to come to agreements faster and push through
laws faster. 5. Acting as a Watchdog – The party “out of
power” wants to try to point out the bad things the party “in
power” is doing so that they can become the party “in power.”
Why do we have a Two-Party System in the U.S.?
1. Historical Basis – When the nation started there were two
“parties,” the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
2. Tradition – We have it because we have had it.
3. Electoral System – A. We elect members from a party, and
only one member from each party is put on the ballot. B.
Parties find common ground and compromise so things get
done. C. States have made it difficult for minor parties to put
their candidates on ballots.
4. The American Ideological Consensus – Americans are
primarily politically moderate, a two-party system helps this as
those politicians have to be moderate as well to get votes.
30
Process: Parties and Two-Party System
1. What do you think of America’s political parties? Why?
Which party do you think you would want to be a part of?
Why? (12)
2. Looking at why we have a two-party system, which 2 reasons
for that do you think are the most important? Why? Look at the
minor parties on page 124, go to the website of one of those
parties and give a couple sentences of information about that
party.
29
Notes: Formal Amendments
Two ways to change the constitution: 1. Make a formal
amendment (we have 27 of these). 2. Change the interpretation
of the Constitution through court cases (primarily).
How do you make an Amendment to the Constitution? 4
possibilities: 1. 2/3 vote for the amendment in Congress (both
houses each), then ¾ of state legislatures vote for it (simple
majority in each state). 2. 2/3 vote for it in the Congress (both
houses), then ¾ of state conventions are held and it must pass in
those. 3. 2/3 of state legislatures propose a National
Convention called by Congress, then ratified by ¾ of state
legislatures. 4. 2/3 of state legislatures propose a N.C., then
ratified by ¾ of state conventions.
There have been over 15,000 proposed amendments to the
Constitution, however only 33 have made it through Congress
(first part of first 2 methods to become an amendment), but only
27 of those 33 have been ratified.
Bill of Rights – First 10 Amendments to the Constitution. These
were ratified shortly after the Constitution was ratified. Most
proposed amendments take about 1-2 years to be ratified
through the processes. Amendment 27 did take 202 years
though.
28
Process: Formal Amendments
1. How do you think the formal Amendments processes are
set up? Do you agree with how amendments should be
made? Why? What changes would you make? Why?
(11)
2. Looking at the first 10 Amendments, which 3 do you think
are the most important? Why? Which three do you think
are the least important? Why?
27
The First 10 Amendments
1st Amendment – Freedom of Religion, of Speech, of the press,
of assembly, and petition.
2nd Amendment – The right to bear arms.
3rd Amendment – The right of the people to not have to quarter
troops during peace time.
4th Amendment – Protection from unlawful and unreasonable
search and seizure. (Warrants)
5th Amendment – Protection in criminal proceedings (trials).
Don’t have to be a witness against yourself, due process (trial,
jury, etc.). Protection from Double Jeopardy.
6th Amendment – Criminal Proceedings: speedy trail, an
impartial trial, an attorney, call witnesses, and to confront
witnesses against you.
7th Amendment – Civil Proceedings: Trial by jury in a civil
lawsuit case and a right to appeal.
8th Amendment – No excessive bail, or cruel and unusual
punishment.
9th Amendment – People have other rights even though they are
not listed in the Constitution.
10th Amendment – Other powers are reserved for the states
(states determine what other rights they should have).
25
Notes: The Six Basic Principles
An outline of the Constitution:
1. Preamble – Explains what the Constitution is about.
2. Article I – The Legislative Branch (Congress)
3. Article II – The Executive Branch (President)
4. Article III – The Judicial Branch (Supreme and Federal
Courts)
5. Article IV – Relations among the states.
6. Article V – How to Amend the Constitution
7. Article VI – Miscellaneous (oath of office, national debt,
supremacy of national law).
8. Article VII – Ratification of Constitution
The Six Basic Principles Contained in the Constitution: 1.
Popular Sovereignty – The People have the ultimate power.
This relies heavily on the idea that government can only govern
with the consent of the governed. 2. Limited Government –
Government can only do what the Constitution allows them to
do (Constitutionalism and the rule of law). 3. Separation of
Powers – The three things government does are separated into
three different branches. Only those branches can focus on the
thing the branch is designed for (i.e. Legislative only makes the
laws). 4. Checks and Balances – Each branch has the power of
the other two branches to check the power of that branch (stop
what the other branch is doing). 5. Judicial Review – Laws can
be declared unconstitutional by Federal Judges and the Supreme
Court. 6. Federalism – The National Government shares many
powers with the state government, but if there is ever a question
of which government is doing the right thing the national
government will be considered the top authority.
24
Process: Six Basic Principles
1. What do you think about how the Constitution is setup?
Why? Why do you think the Framers left the Preamble so
open to interpretation for future generations? (12)
2. Of the six principles that the Constitution contains, which
three do you think are the most important? Why?
1. A – 1
B–2
C–4
D – 2.3
4. A – 3
B–1
C–0
D -2.3
7.
A–1
B–3
C–2
D – 2.3
A–3
B–4
C–0
D – 2.3
A–1
B–6
C–3
D – 2.3
3.
8. A – 2
B–5
C–3
D – 2.3
9.
2.
5.
6.
A-2
B-4
C-0
D – 2.3
A-4
B-2
C-0
D – 2.3
A-5
B-0
C-2
D – 2.3
10. A – 1
B–3
C–2
D – 2.3
11. A – 4
B–2
C–0
D – 2.3
12. A - 1
B-4
C-2
D – 2.3
13. A – 3
B–1
C–4
D – 2.3
14. A – 1
B–4
C–2
D–3
E – 2.3
15. A - 2
B-5
C-0
D – 2.3
16. A – 3
B–0
C–6
D – 2.3
17. A – 3
B–5
C–2
D–0
E – 2.3
18. A - 2
B-6
C-1
D – 2.3
19. A – 5
B–6
C–2
D–3
E-0
20. A - 4
B-1
C-3
D – 2.3
20
Study Guide #1
Government
Public Policies
Legislative Power
Executive Power
Judicial Power
Constitution
Democracy
Dictatorship
State (how is it different from nation, and country) **
Sovereignty
The Force Theory
The Evolutionary Theory
The Divine Right Theory
The Social Contract Theory
Purpose of U.S. Government ****
5 Foundations of Democracy ****
Compromise
Free Enterprise System
Limited Government
Representative Government
Magna Carta
Petition of Right
English Bill of Rights
Charter
Bicameral
Unicameral
Proprietary
Major Colonial Issues with Britain **
Albany Plan
Confederation
Stamp Act Congress
Second Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence
Popular Sovereignty
Articles of Confederation
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation ****
Mount Vernon
Annapolis
Philadelphia Constitutional Convention
Framers (define, not names)
Virginia Plan**
New Jersey Plan **
Connecticut Compromise *
3/5ths Compromise
Preamble
Basic Outline of Constitution ***
Constitutionalism
Separation of Powers
Veto
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism
19
Notes: Creating the Constitution
Framers – The men who created the Constitution of the U.S.
They were all white, 42 (avg. age), lawyers or public servants,
and well educated.
When they met they worked in secret, however Madison took
very good notes. Washington was elected president, however
Madison did a lot of floor discussion leadership. They decided
early on to completely revise the Articles of Confederation to
form something new.
Virginia Plan – Bicameral legislature that would have
representation based on population. Favored bigger states
(population)
New Jersey Plan – Equal representation in a unicameral
Congress (legislature), like the Articles had.
The Virginia Plan people and New Jersey Plan people debated
heavily how it should be. Finally though Connecticut put forth a
compromise that would have a bicameral legislature made up of
one house with population representation and one house equal
representation.
3/5th Compromise – Was one of the compromises that addressed
slavery where slaves would be counted for population (3/5 of a
person) however then the state had to pay the share necessary
for those people.
Sources of the Constitution – Many philosophers like Rousseau,
Locke, and Montesquieu were instrumental in coming up with
ideas that would be included in the Constitution.
18
Process: Creating Constitution
1. What do you think would be the biggest change from the
Articles to the Constitution? Why? Why would the
Framers need to meet in secrecy? (12)
2. Why would so much compromise need to be made during
the constitutional convention? Which compromise do you
think was the most important? Why?
15
Notes: Critical Period
The Articles of Confederation – Set up a unicameral body that
had a presiding officer, and the power to send and receive
ambassadors, make treaties, declare war, some economic issues,
and establish military forces and a post office were included as
powers of the Articles. Had representatives from each state and
the states would work together in cooperation.
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation – 1. Each state had
one vote. 2. Had no power to collect taxes and duties. 3.
Powerless to regulate foreign and interstate trade. 4. No
enforcement of what was passed. 5. No national court to judge
between the states. 6. Amendments to the Articles required all
states to pass. 7. A 9/13 majority was needed to pass anything.
Why is it the critical period? Rebellions started to break out,
states began to grow contentious toward one another, and it was
becoming clear that it was more than likely going to be 13
separate states rather than a Confederation soon.
Movement to a stronger government – 1. Mount Vernon –
George Washington invited representatives from Maryland and
Virginia to work out trade disputes. Very successful and they
pushed for all states to do this soon. 2. Annapolis – 1786: 5
states send representatives and they agree that a meeting needs
to be held with all states. They set that meeting for the next
year. By 1787 (Feb) 7 states agreed to send delegates to a
convention in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia convention was to
be held to fix the problems of the Articles of Confederation.
14
Process: The Critical Period
1. Of the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, which
three do you think were the most hurtful to the nation of the
13 states? Why? (11)
2. Why was this such a critical period? What did they do to
try to solve the problems of the Articles of Confederation?
13
Notes: Coming of Independence
The Reason for the Colonies breaking away from the British:
Primarily the Colonists broke away for economic reasons.
However, there were several political issues that came to the
forefront: 1. “No Taxation Without Representation.” 2. British
Parliament began passing laws that went against long standing
legal tradition (for example housing troops during peacetime).
3. Representation that did form in the Colonies was largely
ignored or not recognized at all.
Colonies Organize – Attempts at unity had been made at
different times: 1. New England Confederation: (1643)
Several New England colonies joined together in a “league of
friendship” for protection from Native Americans. 2. (1696)
William Penn tries to organize several colonies for defense,
trade, and criminal matters (i.e. extradition). 3. Albany Plan
(1754): Ben Franklin wanted to form a group of colonies that
would discuss and solve mutual problems (this failed to start up,
but idea was out there). 4. Stamp Act Congress: 9 Colonies
send delegates to discuss what should be done with the
unpopular Stamp Act. They write to the king and want it
removed, however the king does not hear out the colonist ideas.
Continental Congresses: Delegates (representatives) meet from
most of the states (all except Georgia, who later agrees), to start
to work out issues brought up from the Boston Massacre and
Boston Tea Party. By the time the Second Continental Congress
meets the Revolutionary War has already begun. They decide to
declare themselves independent states (Declaration of
Independence).
-The States and their Constitutions: All decided to have written
Constitutions. Common Features of these Constitutions:
Popular Sovereignty – the people have the power. Limited
government – State has allowed more liberty. Separation of
Powers – Law making and law executing powers and judging
powers are split among different parts of the government.
-Most state governments placed the largest amount of power in
the hands of the legislative body.
12
Process: Coming of Independence
1. Why do you think that the American Colonialists had such
a problem with what the British were doing? Do you think
the Colonies had a right to break away? Why? (11)
2. Why is the Declaration of Independence seen as such an
important U.S. document? Did it set up the United States?
How/why?
11
Notes: Our Political Beginnings
What did the Europeans bring to the Americas in regards to
government? - 1. Ordered Government – a system of dealing
with large amounts of people within a government system. 2.
Limited Government – People given freedom from government
action by limiting the actions that government can take. 3.
Representative Government – the idea that people should be
supported by government and be represented within
government.
Famous Political English Documents – 1. The Magna Carta –
13th Century document that the king was forced to sign. This
gave the English people rights with regard to due process, trial
by jury, and protected people’s property, life, and liberty under
the law. 2. The Petition of Right – Limited the power of the
monarch (king) by giving the “power of the purse” to the
Parliament (a representative body), thus Parliament had control
over how the money would be spent within England. 3.
English Bill of Rights – Late 17th Century document that
William and Mary signed which gave more powers to the
Parliament and limited the power of the monarch even more.
The Colonies of England – To form a colony each had to first be
granted a charter by the English crown (king). The 13 colonies
were established over a 125 year period as different colonies
were founded at different times over that century and a quarter.
There were three types of charters (written grant to use the
land): 1. Royal charters (8 states by the revolution) – Governor
put in place by the king had the final say, however there was a
bicameral (two house) advisory institution that gave advice to
the Governor. The upper house was chosen by the
Governor/king. The lower house was elected by land owners
(and okayed by the king). Governors usually were very stern
and loyal to the crown in these colonies. 2. Proprietary
Colonies (3 states) – The king gave direct ownership to a couple
of people for these charters. Because these people were close to
the king they usually went along with what the king did. 3.
Charter Colonies (2 states) – These were the most free to do as
they wanted. Crown approval was not needed for just about
anything they would do. If most colonies had been this type the
British probably would have kept the colonies for MANY more
years.
10
Process: Our Political Beginnings
1. How do you think the English documents and the ideas
that the English people brought to the American Colonies
affected their governmental decisions? Which was the
most important idea from those documents/ideas? Why?
(10)
2. Do you think the colonies were set up in a way that could
easily work? Why would the colonies be upset with how
the colonies were set up?
7
Notes: Basic Concepts of Democracy
Foundations of Democracy: 1. Recognition of worth and dignity
of all people. 2. Respect for the equality of all people.
3. Faith in majority rule and insistence upon minority rights. 4.
An acceptance of the necessity of compromise. 5. And
insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual
freedom.
Free Enterprise: Economic system where the private ownership
of capital goods, and how the economy works, is dictated by the
people and not some government authority. Democracy does
favor a free enterprise system, however in the United States we
do have a Mixed Economy (some government regulation) within
our free enterprise ideals.
6
Process: Basic Concepts of Democracy
1. Of the different foundations of a democracy, which two do
you think are the most important to have? Why? (10)
2. What freedoms would you not want to give up so that
society can feel safe? Why? If none, then why? Why is
free enterprise usually linked to Democracy?
4
Process: Government and the State
1. Do you think government is necessary? Why? What is the
difference between state, nation, and country? (11)
2. Which of the major political ideas do you think is the best?
Why? Of the purposes of our government which two do
you think are the most important? Why?
3
Assignment
Student Contact
C.E. #1
Test #1
Assignment
Student Contact
My Grade Page
Pts. Earned
Due Dates
Date Due
2-18-11
Pts. Possible
5
20
Completed