am gov unit 1 main idea packet - i've been meenan to tell...

Name_________________________________________________Class Period_______

MAIN IDEA PACKET: Foundations of American Government UNIT 1

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3 & 4

CHAPTER

PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT

Chapter 1 Section 1: Government and the State THE BIG IDEA: A government enables a society to carry out its policies and protect citizens from violence and injustice. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Powers in Government

Answer the following questions using the chart above and Chapter 1 Section 1 in your textbook. What is government? Define public policy: Identify and describe the three basic kinds of power (page 4):

Powers in Government

Legisla2ve

Execu2ve

Judicial

1

Yes, you should have learned about these powers in elementary school. MEMORIZE IT NOW!!!!!!!!!

American Gov Unit 1: Foundations of American Government Main Idea Packet Pg 2

GRAPHIC SUMMARY:

Read pages 5-‐7 to answer the following questions. What is a state? Explain each of the four characteristics of a state:

Population

Territory

Sovereignty

Government

Answer this question by writing at least three sentences.

Do you think Nevada is a State?


Chapter 1 Section 2: Forms of Government THE BIG IDEA: The United States is a democracy with a federal and presidential system of government.

COMPLETE THIS CHART using Ch 1 Section 2 (focus on how they are different from one another) GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Classifications of Government

Answer the following questions using the chart above and Chapter 1 Section 2 in your textbook. Which characteristic would you rather live with in regards to the: Who may participate in government portion of the chart? Why? Which characteristic would you rather live with in regards to the: where is power held portion of the chart? Why? Which characteristic would you rather live with in regards to the: what is the relationship between the legislative and executive branches portion of the chart? Why?

Who may par*cipate in government?

• DEMOCRACY:

• DICTATORSHIP:

Where is power held?

• UNITARY:

• FEDERAL:

• CONFEDERATION:

What is the rela*onship between the legisla*ve

(law making) and execu*ve (law enforcing) branches?

• PRESIDENTIAL:

• PARLIAMENTARY:


Chapter 1 Section 3: Basic Concepts of Democracy THE BIG IDEA: Democracy rests on the rights and freedoms of individuals; the American commitment to these ideals is evident in its free enterprise system.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Basic Notions of American Democracy

Answer this question:

Which notion do you think people struggle with the most? Why?

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Democracy and the Free Enterprise System

TERMS DESCRIPTION

Free Enterprise System

• Also known as capitalism or the market economy. • Private ownership of capital goods. • Investments made by private decision, not by

government directive. • Success or failure determined by the marketplace. • Based on private ownership, individual initiative, profit,

and competition.

Supply and Demand

• This is found in the free enterprise system. • When supplies of goods and services are plentiful prices

tend to drop. • When supplies of goods and services are scarce prices

tend to rise.

Mixed Economy

• An economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion.

Answer the following questions using the chart above and Chapter 1 Section 3 in your textbook. What are the major components of the Free Enterprise System? As a consumer who believes in Supply and Demand, how would you want the supplies of goods and services? Page 21 gives two reasons the government participates in the economy. What are they?

Each individual has worth.

All individuals are equal.

The majority should rule but must respect minority rights.

Compromise is necessary.

Each individual must have the widest possible degree of freedom.


CHAPTER Origins of American Government

Chapter 2 Section 1: Our Political Beginnings THE BIG IDEA: The English traditional of ordered, limited, and representative government served as the basis of colonial governments.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Landmark English Documents

Answer the following questions by using the graph above. Which document first protected the right to a trial by jury? Which document made it easier to vote? So looking at these documents shows us the American government was greatly influenced by which country? Look at map on page 31 and read through pages 30-‐32 to answer these questions. What were the differences between royal, proprietary, and charter colonies? Which type of colony were there more of in 1775? Contrast bicameral legislatures to unicameral legislatures.

Magna Carta (1215) • Limited the power of the king.

• Protected the right to trial by jury and due process of law.

Pe**on of Right (1628) • King could not imprison subjects without the lawful judgment of their peers or by rule of law.

• King could not impose military rule in peace2me.

• King could not force unwilling ci2zens to house soldiers.

Bill of Rights (1689) • Prohibited keeping an army in peace2me. • Required free parliamentary elec2ons. • Guaranteed right to a fair trial. • Forbade cruel and unusual punishments and excessive bail.

2


Chapter 2 Section 2: The Coming of Independence THE BIG IDEA: As British policies led them toward independence, the colonies developed new forms of government.

Timeline: Creating the United States

Read Chapter 2 Section 2 to complete these questions. Why did some colonists support a boycott of English goods? Explain the concept of popular sovereignty. In what ways did the Second Continental Congress serve as the first national government?

Declaration of Independence: Complete this chart. Page 38 will help.

Who Second Continental Congress representing colonial America.

What

From Where Britain

When

Why


Chapter 2 Section 3: The Critical Period THE BIG IDEA: The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to demands for stronger central government.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Weaknesses of Government under the Articles of Confederation

Answer this question by writing three sentences:

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

Chapter 2 Section 4: Creating the Constitution THE BIG IDEA: The delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a new form of government for a new nation.

COMPLETE THIS GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Compromise in Framing the Constitution ISSUE SOLUTION NAME OF COMPROMISE

Representation in Congress

Connecticut Counting Slaves within population to determine representation.

Three-‐Fifths Granting Congress the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade.

Commerce and Slave Trade

Weaknesses of the Ar*cles of Confedera*on • One vote for each State regardless of size. • Congress powerless to collect taxes or du2es. • Congress powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. • No execu2ve to enforce acts of Congress. • No na2onal court system. • Amendments only with consent of all of the States. • A 9/13 majority required to pass laws. • Ar2cles was only a "firm league of friendship".


Chapter 2 Section 5: Ratifying the Constitution THE BIG IDEA: After great debate, the Constitution was ratified by nine States and became the supreme law of the nation.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Debate over Ratification

Use the chart above and Chapter 2 Section 5 to complete these questions. How many of the 13 states had to hold conventions to pass the constitution in order to make it the new law of the land? What was the federalist position on the adoption of the Constitution? Give two reasons why the Anti-‐federalists opposed the Constitution.

Answer this question by writing three sentences:

Are you glad the Anti-‐federalists rallied against the Constitution?

Federalists • Favored Cons2tu2on. • Believed Cons2tu2on was strong enough to solve country's problems. • Led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

An*-‐Federalists • Opposed Cons2tu2on. • Believe Cons2tu2on was too strong. • Wanted a bill of rights added to protect individual freedoms. • Led by Patrick Henry and John Hancock.


CHAPTER

The Constitution

Chapter 3 Section 1: The Six Basic Principles THE BIG IDEA: The Constitution is based on six broad principles: popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Articles of the Constitution

SECTION SUBJECT Preamble States the purpose of the Constitution. Article I Legislative branch Article II Executive branch Article III Judicial branch Article IV Relations among the States Article V Amending the Constitution

Article VI National debts, supremacy of national law, and oaths of office

Article VII Ratifying the Constitution

COMPLETE THE GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Six Constitutional Principles PRINCIPLE DESCRIPTION

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

SEPARATION OF POWERS

CHECKS AND BALANCES

JUDICIAL REVIEW

FEDERALISM

3


Use the charts for this section or read Chapter 3 Section 1 to complete these questions. What is the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution? Which principle divides the government into three branches? Judicial Review appears to be a portion of which other principle? Popular Sovereignty shows the power of government rests where?

Chapter 3 Section 2: Formal Amendment THE BIG IDEA: The Framers of the Constitution prepared for changing times by providing for the document’s formal amendment.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Methods of Formal Amendment

Use Chapter 3 Section 2 or the Charts previous and following these questions. How many amendments have been added to the constitution? In your words, describe three freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights. Why does the Constitution provide that both houses of Congress must agree to the proposal amendment?

2 different ways to propose +2 different ways to ratify = 4 ways a formal amendment can be passed.

First 10 Amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.

(Next page of packet shows amendments)


Chapter 3 Section 3: Constitutional Change by Other Means THE BIG IDEA: Many changes to the constitution have been made by informal means.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Sources of Constitutional Change

Answer the following questions using Chapter 3 Section 3. Name two governmental bodies that make informal changes. What is the current role of the Electoral College? What is an executive agreement? What role does the Cabinet play in government?

People have changed the cons*tu*on informally by

Basic legisla2on

Execu2ve ac2on

Court decisions

Party prac2ces

Customs


CHAPTER Federalism

Chapter 4 Section 1: Federalism: The Division of Power THE BIG IDEA: Federalism divides the powers of the United States between the National Government and the States.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Division of Powers

Answer the following questions using the chart above. Who has the power to coin money? Who has the power to conduct elections? Who has the power to establish courts? Who has reserved powers?

4

KNOW THIS


Chapter 4 Section 2: The National Government and the 50 States THE BIG IDEA: The Constitution allows and requires the National Government to help the States in certain ways.

GRAPHIC SUMMARY: National and State Cooperation

Answer the following questions using the chart above and chapter 4 section 2. Contrast block grants and categorical grants. Who conducts national elections?

Chapter 4 Section 3: Interstate Relations THE BIG IDEA: Several provisions of the Constitution deal with the States’ relations with one another.

COMPLETE THE GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Interstate Relations Key Provision in Constitution Description

INTERSTATE COMPACTS

FULL FAITH AND CREDIT

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITITES

No State may discriminate against a person who lives in another State.

EXTRADITION

Write two sentences to answer this question.

How does the Full Faith and Credit clause help you?

What the Na*onal Government does for the States

• Guarantees a republican form of government. • Protects against invasions and domes2c violence. • Admits new States. • Provides three types of grants-‐in-‐aid: block grants, categorical grants, and project grants.

What the States do for the Na*onal Government.

• Conduct na2onal elec2ons. • Admit new ci2zens in State courts • Cooperate with federal law enforcement agents.