What do we call the first PARAGRAPH that is required in our essay?
Introductory Paragraph
100
What are the three defenses that the Constitution has against tyranny?
Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances
100
What are the two parts of the "compound government" that creates the idea of Federalism?
Central (Federal) and State Governments
100
What are the three "separate and distinct" branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
100
The idea of Checks and Balances is to make sure that each branch has some _______________ over the others.
Constitutional power.
200
What are the three parts of an effective introductory paragraph?
Hook, Bridge, Thesis
200
Write the thesis for our essay.
The Constitution guards against tyranny in three ways: Federalism, Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances.
200
In Federalism, what kind of powers are given to the states?
State/Local level issues: local governments, public schools, personal laws, etc.
200
What are the three branches of government and what JOB does each branch do?
Legislative Branch: write the laws
Executive Branch: enforce the laws
Judicial Branch: interpret the laws
200
What is one thing the Executive Branch can do to check the power of the Legislative Branch?
Veto laws
300
What is the purpose of a thesis statement?
To state the claim that the essay will defend.
300
What is tyranny?
cruel, harsh treatment by the government; accumulation of political powers in the hands of an individual/group.
300
What kinds of powers are reserved for the Federal Government?
National Issues: foreign relations, war, national/international trade, print money, immigration, etc.
300
Give an example of what could happen if the EXECUTIVE branch could enforce laws AND interpret laws.
Travel Ban: President could break the Constitution without being held accountable by the Judicial Branch.
300
What is one thing the Judicial Branch can do to check the power of the Executive Branch?
Declare presidential actions unconstitutional.
400
What is the purpose of the Hook?
To get the attention of the reader and bring him/her into the reading.
400
Why were the Founding Fathers concerned about the accumulation of political powers in the hands of a few? (What past experience did they have that scared them?)
Tyranny and abuses of England, specifically under King George III.
400
Given an example of a type of tyranny that could occur if we didn't have a Federalist system.
One central government could have power over many, diverse states. People make laws in California that influence people in Texas, that influence people in Maine.
400
Is it possible to have tyranny in a democracy? Explain.
Yes. Majority votes could easily oppress the rights of minorities.
400
What is one thing the Executive Branch can do to check the power of the Judicial Branch?
President nominated judges to the courts.
500
What is the purpose of the bridge of the introduction?
Provide 2-3 sentences to provide context and move the reader from the hook to the thesis.
500
What was the name of the system of government in America before the Constitution was written?
The Articles of Confederation
500
Who wrote the Federalist Papers that supported this idea of Federalism in the Constitution?
James Madison
500
How does the Separation of Powers guard against tyranny?
Gives different powers to different branches; to one group can become too powerful.
500
What is one thing the Legislative Branch can do to check the power of the Executive Branch?