Thursday, December 10, 2015
Review Resources
Executive Branch Review
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/_1t2ozj
(Join my class on Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/join/8DTp54G2Z)
Kahoot: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/6f61de37-17df-49d6-9abe-0b98fd81316d
Constitution Activity:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UCSbmq42fUdFRKSkZmZFNMQ2c/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9UCSbmq42fUa2FnVzFRSGxJd1k/view?usp=sharing
Roles of the President Activity: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9UCSbmq42fUekhGZVFWcE1sSW8
Great overview of the Electoral College: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9H3gvnN468
270 to Win is a website with an interactive Electoral College map: http://www.270towin.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Electoral College Maps
Use the accompanying Electoral College maps (illustrating election results from 1928 to present) and answer the following questions. CLICK ON THE MAP TO VIEW FULL SIZE.
1. What year was the biggest Electoral College win for the Democrats? For the Republicans?
2. What two consecutive elections show the biggest swing from the Republicans to the Democrats?
3. What year showed the greatest Electoral College success for a third party?
4. Which year had the closest Electoral College vote?
5. Which year had the closest popular vote?
6. Choose two states that have been the most consistently Republican since 1964 (there are several choices).
7. Choose two states that have been the most consistently Democratic since 1964 (there are fewer choices).
8. What two states voted Democratic in 2008 that hadn’t done so since 1964.
9. Find one state that used to be consistently Democratic, but is now consistently Republican.
10. Find one state that used to be consistently Republican, but is now consistently Democratic.
1. What year was the biggest Electoral College win for the Democrats? For the Republicans?
2. What two consecutive elections show the biggest swing from the Republicans to the Democrats?
3. What year showed the greatest Electoral College success for a third party?
4. Which year had the closest Electoral College vote?
5. Which year had the closest popular vote?
6. Choose two states that have been the most consistently Republican since 1964 (there are several choices).
7. Choose two states that have been the most consistently Democratic since 1964 (there are fewer choices).
8. What two states voted Democratic in 2008 that hadn’t done so since 1964.
9. Find one state that used to be consistently Democratic, but is now consistently Republican.
10. Find one state that used to be consistently Republican, but is now consistently Democratic.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Presidential Powers
Homework: Read the following paragraphs about presidents using executive power and answer the three questions below for each example. Be concise.
EXPANDING PRESIDENTIAL POWER
For each president (Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Truman, Bush) answer the following questions:
Thomas Jefferson
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana
Territory from France for $15 million (the equivalent of $219 million today). The purchase more than doubled the size of the United States, and the land acquired comprises 1⁄4 of current American territory. While a significant event in Jefferson’s presidency, the purchase was highly controversial because the U.S. Constitution does not include any provisions for acquiring territory. Though himself a champion of small government, Jefferson decided to purchase Louisiana because of his concerns over French and Spanish power to block America’s trade through the port of New Orleans.
Andrew Jackson
Whereas members of Congress only represent their specific constituencies,
President Andrew Jackson emphasized the presidency as the only office that truly represents all people. Thus when elected, Jackson’s perceived mandate led him to act on the public’s behalf, making decisions as he saw fit. Jackson especially exercised this power through the use of veto; he vetoed more bills in his term in office than all previous presidents put together, and was the first president to use the pocket veto. Jackson particularly used the veto to counter the national bank. Though Congress and the Supreme Court had found the bank to be constitutional, Jackson thought it to be unconstitutional and used the power of the veto to shut it down.
Abraham Lincoln
When the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter, S.C. in 1861, President Lincoln did
not wait for Congress to reconvene before taking action. Without Congressional approval, Lincoln increased the size of the army and navy, blockaded Southern ports, spent money that had not been appropriated by Congress, arrested Northern citizens that were suspected to sympathize with the Confederacy, and suspended habeas corpus (which prevents people from being unlawfully detained), thereby taking away civil liberties. Lincoln later addressed Congress and admitted that he had exceeded his authority under the Constitution, but claimed he felt the need to act instantly in response to the crisis. Lincoln asked Congress to retroactively authorize his actions, which it did.
Harry Truman
Up until 1950, it was generally thought that the constitutional power to wage war
rested with Congress alone. However, in June of that year President Truman asserted the war-making power in the executive branch by sending troops to South Korea without congressional authorization or a declaration of war. In 1950, North Korean troops invaded the Republic of Korea. President Harry Truman deployed troops to South Korea without a formal declaration of war by Congress. Senators protested this action, saying the president had “usurped power and violated the Constitution” with this action, through they agreed to provide funds to support the war. Truman’s actions set a precedent for presidential “warmaking” without congressional approval, from LBJ and Nixon in Vietnam to Bush in the Middle East.
George W. Bush
As part of his War on Terror (after the attacks of 9/11), President Bush exercised
broad powers in the name of national security. The Patriot Act, approved by Congress, enabled surveillance powers such as the ability to monitor emails, phone calls, internet activity, texts, etc. without a search warrant. President Bush’s administration also exercised the rights to detain citizens indefinitely as enemy combatants without a warrant, trial by jury, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Additionally, the administration has asserted power to ignore treaties that prohibit torture, and detain foreign citizens indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay.
EXPANDING PRESIDENTIAL POWER
For each president (Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Truman, Bush) answer the following questions:
- What did the president do?
- How was this different than what the president had done before?
- Why was this controversial?
Thomas Jefferson
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana
Territory from France for $15 million (the equivalent of $219 million today). The purchase more than doubled the size of the United States, and the land acquired comprises 1⁄4 of current American territory. While a significant event in Jefferson’s presidency, the purchase was highly controversial because the U.S. Constitution does not include any provisions for acquiring territory. Though himself a champion of small government, Jefferson decided to purchase Louisiana because of his concerns over French and Spanish power to block America’s trade through the port of New Orleans.
Andrew Jackson
Whereas members of Congress only represent their specific constituencies,
President Andrew Jackson emphasized the presidency as the only office that truly represents all people. Thus when elected, Jackson’s perceived mandate led him to act on the public’s behalf, making decisions as he saw fit. Jackson especially exercised this power through the use of veto; he vetoed more bills in his term in office than all previous presidents put together, and was the first president to use the pocket veto. Jackson particularly used the veto to counter the national bank. Though Congress and the Supreme Court had found the bank to be constitutional, Jackson thought it to be unconstitutional and used the power of the veto to shut it down.
Abraham Lincoln
When the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter, S.C. in 1861, President Lincoln did
not wait for Congress to reconvene before taking action. Without Congressional approval, Lincoln increased the size of the army and navy, blockaded Southern ports, spent money that had not been appropriated by Congress, arrested Northern citizens that were suspected to sympathize with the Confederacy, and suspended habeas corpus (which prevents people from being unlawfully detained), thereby taking away civil liberties. Lincoln later addressed Congress and admitted that he had exceeded his authority under the Constitution, but claimed he felt the need to act instantly in response to the crisis. Lincoln asked Congress to retroactively authorize his actions, which it did.
Harry Truman
Up until 1950, it was generally thought that the constitutional power to wage war
rested with Congress alone. However, in June of that year President Truman asserted the war-making power in the executive branch by sending troops to South Korea without congressional authorization or a declaration of war. In 1950, North Korean troops invaded the Republic of Korea. President Harry Truman deployed troops to South Korea without a formal declaration of war by Congress. Senators protested this action, saying the president had “usurped power and violated the Constitution” with this action, through they agreed to provide funds to support the war. Truman’s actions set a precedent for presidential “warmaking” without congressional approval, from LBJ and Nixon in Vietnam to Bush in the Middle East.
George W. Bush
As part of his War on Terror (after the attacks of 9/11), President Bush exercised
broad powers in the name of national security. The Patriot Act, approved by Congress, enabled surveillance powers such as the ability to monitor emails, phone calls, internet activity, texts, etc. without a search warrant. President Bush’s administration also exercised the rights to detain citizens indefinitely as enemy combatants without a warrant, trial by jury, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Additionally, the administration has asserted power to ignore treaties that prohibit torture, and detain foreign citizens indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
Test Review for Unit 2: Congress
Below are all of the resources you will need to complete the test review activities for the Unit 2 Exam on Congress.
Study Guide: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9UCSbmq42fUM2VCMlltZnFlU00
(Download and print this first.)
Visit each station and answer the questions for that station on the Study Guide.
Station 1: Leadership/Organization of Congress Prezi
http://prezi.com/pz0khhiuy5ta/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
Station 2: Congressional Powers Google Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FRA4fA9_zEZWPjMZcvSvb0GiHz4OR_HkRLFgGpIkhjs/edit?usp=sharing
Station 3: Vocabulary Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/join/8DTp54G2Z (must have a free Quizlet account)
https://quizlet.com/105450049/flashcards (link if you don't want an account)
Station 4: The Constitution Article 1 (click link and scroll to page 3)
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6BLDSTKJo6Pdjl5eUhaZzlaOGc
Station 5: Test Review Kahoot
* From a computer visit: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/2ee3eb99-319f-4a0c-9906-d4e64ba863cb
* On your cell phone, navigate to www.kahoot.it and enter the Game PIN
Study Guide: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9UCSbmq42fUM2VCMlltZnFlU00
(Download and print this first.)
Visit each station and answer the questions for that station on the Study Guide.
Station 1: Leadership/Organization of Congress Prezi
http://prezi.com/pz0khhiuy5ta/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
Station 2: Congressional Powers Google Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FRA4fA9_zEZWPjMZcvSvb0GiHz4OR_HkRLFgGpIkhjs/edit?usp=sharing
Station 3: Vocabulary Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/join/8DTp54G2Z (must have a free Quizlet account)
https://quizlet.com/105450049/flashcards (link if you don't want an account)
Station 4: The Constitution Article 1 (click link and scroll to page 3)
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6BLDSTKJo6Pdjl5eUhaZzlaOGc
Station 5: Test Review Kahoot
* From a computer visit: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/2ee3eb99-319f-4a0c-9906-d4e64ba863cb
* On your cell phone, navigate to www.kahoot.it and enter the Game PIN
Bernie Sanders Response to ISIS attacks
Below is an excerpt from Senator Bernie Sanders's response to the ISIS attacks in Paris as given during the Democratic debate on Saturday, 11/14 (the day after the attacks) at Drake University in Iowa. Read the following quote and answer the questions below.
"International terrorism is a major issue that we've got to address today. And I agree with much of what -- the secretary (Hillary Clinton) and -- and the governor (Michael O'Malley) have said. Only have one area of -- of disagreement with the secretary. I think she said something like, "The bulk of the responsibility is not ours." Well, in fact, I would argue that the disastrous invasion of Iraq, something that I strongly opposed, has unraveled the region completely. And led to the rise of Al Qaeda -- and to -- ISIS.
Now, in fact, what we have got to do -- and I think there is widespread agreement here - 'cause the United States cannot do it alone. What we need to do is lead an international coalition which includes -- very significantly - Muslim nations in that region are going have to fight and defend their way of life.
I don't think any sensible person would disagree that the invasion of Iraq led to the massive level of instability we are seeing right now. I think that was one of the worst foreign policy plunders in the modern history of United States. Not only did I vote against the war in Iraq, if you look at history, you will find that regime change -- whether it was in the early '50s in Iran, whether it was toppling Salvador Allende in Chile or whether it was overthrowing the government Guatemala way back when -- these invasions, these -- these toppling of governments, regime changes have unintended consequences. I would say that on this issue I'm a little bit more conservative than the secretary.
It is enormously complicated. But here's something that I believe we have to do is we put together an international coalition. And that is we have to understand that the Muslim nation in the region, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, all of these nations, they're going just have to get their hands dirty, their boots on the ground. They are going have to take on ISIS. This is a war for the soul of Islam. And those countries who are opposed to Islam [I think he meant radical Islamic fundamentalism], they are going have to get deeply involved in a way that is not the case today. We should be supportive of that effort. So should the UK, so should France. But those Muslim countries are going have to lead the efforts. They are not doing it now."
Questions
1. Why does Senator Sanders believe the United States has major responsibility for conditions in the Middle East today?
2. What is the Senator's attitude toward regime change?
3. What does Senator Sanders propose as a way to combat ISIS?
4. In your opinion, what should be done to prevent future attacks like the one in Paris this weekend?
1. Why does Senator Sanders believe the United States has major responsibility for conditions in the Middle East today?
2. What is the Senator's attitude toward regime change?
3. What does Senator Sanders propose as a way to combat ISIS?
4. In your opinion, what should be done to prevent future attacks like the one in Paris this weekend?
Sources:
- http://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-debate-transcript-clinton-sanders-omalley-in-iowa/
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/teaching-about-paris-and_b_8568550.html
Isis Attacks in Paris
Media Coverage of the Isis Attacks in Paris and Related Issues
60 Minutes (video): http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-the-paris-attacks/
President Hollande: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/11/13/it-is-horror-french-president-hollandes-remarks-after-paris-attacks/
President Obama: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/11/13/watch-president-obamas-statement-attacks-paris
Supporting France, Obama Loath to Add Troops to ISIS Fight: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/europe/obama-g20-turkey.html
Charlie Hebdo: https://youtu.be/O2P7cUYFwoc
The Paris Attacks: What we Know: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/11/paris-attacks/415953/
Hollande Class Paris Attacks an "Act of War": http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/hollande-paris-france-attacks-concern-stadium-isil-151114103631610.html
How Paris Stood with the U.S. after 9/11: http://time.com/4112746/paris-attacks-us-september-911-terrorism/
The Confused Person's Guide to the Syria Civil War: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/syrian-civil-war-guide-isis/410746/
France launches fierce assault on ISIS targets in Syria: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-vows-to-help-france-hunt-down-perpetrators-of-paris-terror-attacks/2015/11/15/a4628faa-8b74-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
How the 2016 Candidates Responded to the Paris Attacks: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/11/paris-2016-candidates-response/416046/
Republican Responses
As new speaker, Ryan will be quickly tested on foreign policy: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/11/16/as-new-speaker-ryan-will-be-quickly-tested-on-foreign-policy/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
Cruz: ‘No meaningful risk’ of Christians committing terrorism: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/15/cruz-no-meaningful-risk-of-christians-committing-terrorism/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
Rubio calls for invoking NATO’s collective-defense clause after Paris attacks: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/15/rubio-calls-for-invoking-natos-collective-defense-clause-after-paris-attacks/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
Mitt Romney's Response: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obama-must-wage-war-on-the-islamic-state-not-merely-harass-it/2015/11/15/00a8884c-8bba-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_headlines
Sen. Graham calls on president, Congress to act after Paris attacks: http://www.wyff4.com/news/sen-graham-calls-on-president-congress-to-take-action-after-paris-attacks/36451796
Democratic Responses
Clinton, Sanders, O'Malley: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/at-debate-democratic-candidates-respond-to-paris-attacks-20151114
More Articles
White House, Congress clash over Syrian refugees in wake of Paris attacks: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/15/white-house-congress-clash-over-syrian-refugees-wake-paris-attacks/75824438/
'Act of War': Will Congress finally vote to declare war on ISIS, after Paris attacks?: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/14/act-war-will-congress-finally-vote-to-declare-war-on-isis-after-paris-attacks/
Paris Attacks Could Bolster Congressional Efforts to Block U.S. Refugee Plan: http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/16/paris-attacks-could-bolster-congressional-efforts-to-block-u-s-refugee-plan/
Republican Candidates Urge Aggressive Response: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/us/politics/republican-candidates-urge-aggressive-response-after-paris-attacks.html
60 Minutes (video): http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-the-paris-attacks/
President Hollande: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/11/13/it-is-horror-french-president-hollandes-remarks-after-paris-attacks/
President Obama: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/11/13/watch-president-obamas-statement-attacks-paris
Supporting France, Obama Loath to Add Troops to ISIS Fight: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/europe/obama-g20-turkey.html
Charlie Hebdo: https://youtu.be/O2P7cUYFwoc
The Paris Attacks: What we Know: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/11/paris-attacks/415953/
Hollande Class Paris Attacks an "Act of War": http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/hollande-paris-france-attacks-concern-stadium-isil-151114103631610.html
How Paris Stood with the U.S. after 9/11: http://time.com/4112746/paris-attacks-us-september-911-terrorism/
The Confused Person's Guide to the Syria Civil War: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/syrian-civil-war-guide-isis/410746/
France launches fierce assault on ISIS targets in Syria: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-vows-to-help-france-hunt-down-perpetrators-of-paris-terror-attacks/2015/11/15/a4628faa-8b74-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
How the 2016 Candidates Responded to the Paris Attacks: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/11/paris-2016-candidates-response/416046/
Republican Responses
As new speaker, Ryan will be quickly tested on foreign policy: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/11/16/as-new-speaker-ryan-will-be-quickly-tested-on-foreign-policy/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
Cruz: ‘No meaningful risk’ of Christians committing terrorism: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/15/cruz-no-meaningful-risk-of-christians-committing-terrorism/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
Rubio calls for invoking NATO’s collective-defense clause after Paris attacks: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/15/rubio-calls-for-invoking-natos-collective-defense-clause-after-paris-attacks/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_politics
Mitt Romney's Response: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obama-must-wage-war-on-the-islamic-state-not-merely-harass-it/2015/11/15/00a8884c-8bba-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_headlines
Sen. Graham calls on president, Congress to act after Paris attacks: http://www.wyff4.com/news/sen-graham-calls-on-president-congress-to-take-action-after-paris-attacks/36451796
Democratic Responses
Clinton, Sanders, O'Malley: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/at-debate-democratic-candidates-respond-to-paris-attacks-20151114
More Articles
White House, Congress clash over Syrian refugees in wake of Paris attacks: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/15/white-house-congress-clash-over-syrian-refugees-wake-paris-attacks/75824438/
'Act of War': Will Congress finally vote to declare war on ISIS, after Paris attacks?: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/14/act-war-will-congress-finally-vote-to-declare-war-on-isis-after-paris-attacks/
Paris Attacks Could Bolster Congressional Efforts to Block U.S. Refugee Plan: http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/16/paris-attacks-could-bolster-congressional-efforts-to-block-u-s-refugee-plan/
Republican Candidates Urge Aggressive Response: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/us/politics/republican-candidates-urge-aggressive-response-after-paris-attacks.html
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