Enter Title

Unit 1

100

• Explain the ⅗ compromise.

Three-fifths compromise, compromise agreement between delegates from the Northern and the Southern states at the United States Constitutional Convention (1787) that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

200

• In order to save money, the government passes a law that National Guard members must be housed by local citizens in the event of a natural disaster.  Explain which Amendment this would violate and why.

Due process under the Fourteenth Amendment can be broken down into two categories: procedural due process and substantive due process. Procedural due process, based on principles of “fundamental fairness,” addresses which legal procedures are required to be followed in state proceedings. 

300

• Describe the Connecticut Compromise.

The Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or Sherman Compromise) was an agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States .

400

• Describe one problem with the Articles of Confederation?

Congress is Unable to Control Commerce Between America and Foreign Nations. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress lacked the authority to regulate commerce, making it unable to protect or standardize trade between foreign nations and the various states.

500

• Describe the arguments of the Anti-Federalist against the Constitution.

The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution because they feared that the new national government would be too powerful and thus threaten individual liberties, given the absence of a bill of rights.

unit 2

100

• Explain two ways Congress can check the power of the President.

One of the most important checks Congress can exercise upon the executive branch is the power to overturn a presidential veto. A second of these important checks on presidential power is the right of Congress to reject presidential nominations to posts in the Cabinet and Supreme Court.

200

• Explain how ties are broken in the Senate.

The vice president of the United States is the ex officio president of the Senate, as provided in Article I, Section 3, Clause 4, of the United States Constitution, but may only vote in order to break a tie.

300

• What are the age requirements to serve in Congress?

“No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.”

400

• What are the terms for members of Congress?

Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are considered for reelection every even year. Senators however, serve six-year terms and elections to the Senate are staggered over even years so that only about 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection during any election.

500

• Explain the general purpose of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government?

Legislative—Makes laws (Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate) Executive—Carries out laws (president, vice president, Cabinet, most federal agencies) Judicial—Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)

unit 3

100

• Explain how, in 2016, Hillary Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes but did not become President.

Trump won a clear majority of 304 electoral votes, as certified this week, while Clinton received only 227, and the electoral vote determines the winner.

200

• Describe the positions of both the Democratic and Republican parties on a major political issue of your choosing.

 they both deal with policies to deal with the economy, health care, and immigration.

300

• Explain how a state’s electoral college votes are calculated.

In 48 of the 50 states, state laws mandate the winner of the plurality of its statewide popular vote shall receive all of that state's electors

400

• Why do third parties never win elections?

The absolute majority requirement makes it extremely difficult for a third-party candidate to win the presidency because the individual states' electoral votes are allocated under a winner-take-all arrangement (with two exceptions).

500

• Define the term gerrymandering.

achieve (a result) by manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency.

unit 4

100

• What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

Criminal law cases are only conducted through the criminal court system. In contrast, civil laws deal with the private rights of individuals. Civil laws are applied when an individual has had his or her rights violated or when individuals have disputes with other individuals or organizations.

200

• What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and carry lighter penalties. Typically, such penalties may include less than a year in jail, community service, fines, rehabilitation and/or probation. Felonies, on the other hand, come with at least a year (and sometimes decades or even a lifetime) in prison.

300

• What is the difference between a state and federal law?

There are two basic levels in the U.S legal system: federal law and state law. A federal law applies to the nation as a whole and to all 50 states whereas state laws are only in effect within that particular state. If a state law gives people more rights than a federal law, the state law is legally supposed to prevail.

400

• Who has the final say on a legal case?

As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution. The Supreme Court is "distinctly American in concept and function," as Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes observed.

essay questions

100

• Which of the three branches of government has the most power?  Why?

The most important power of Congress is its legislative authority; with its ability to pass laws in areas of national policy. The laws that Congress creates are called statutory law. Most of the laws which are passed down by Congress apply to the public, and on some cases private laws.

200

Which of the rights guaranteed by the first amendment do you consider the most important?  Why?

So, they ensured that federal government cannot interfere in the citizens' practice of their religion. The freedoms of speech, press, assembly and the right to petition the government and seek redress of grievances proclaim that citizens have the right to call the government to account.

300

• Do you think the current voting system is fair?  Why or why not?

The most fundamental principle defining credible elections is that they must reflect the free expression of the will of the people. To achieve this, elections should be transparent, inclusive, and accountable, and there must be equitable opportunities to compete in the elections.