These readings will aid your understanding of the concepts in unit 5. Mass Media, Political Parties, Campaigns, Voting and Interest Groups are the topics.
Ch 7 Mass Media
Ch 8 Political Parties
Ch 9 Campaigns and Voting
Ch 10 Interest Groups
Information
Ch 5 Reading
Here is the chapter on Civil Rights. Be sure to take notes. Information from this reading may be used on a quiz, test, exam, or essay.
Ch 4 Reading
Here is the chapter on Civil Liberties. Be sure to take notes. Information from this reading may be used on a quiz, test, exam, or essay.
Federalism Lecture Notes
Here are the notes from the Federalism lecture.
Federalism Lecture Notes (pdf)
Federalism Lecture Notes 2020 (pdf)
Federalism
Here is the reading and a study guide for chapter 3. This chapter looks at federalism and how the state and national governments interact.
Ch 3 Reading
Ch 3 Study Guide
Brutus #1 Reading
Here is Brutus #1. This is a reply of the Anti-Federalists to the Federalists and the Federalist Papers. Brutus #1 is in response to Federalist #10. Please read Brutus #1 and answer the questions below.
Questions to Consider
- Which form of government (a large national republic or a confederation of small republics) is more likely to preserve and protect personal liberties and why?
- Can a larger republic, based on the principle of consent of the governed, sufficiently protect the rights and liberties of the individual states and people, or is a confederation the only method of securing such liberty?
- Should the federal legislature be able to repeal state laws in order to impose federal laws for the purpose of promoting the general welfare or common defense of the nation? If so, why? If not, why?
- Brutus argues that in a republic, “the manners, sentiments, and interests of the people should be similar…if not, there will be a constant clashing of opinions and the representatives of one part will be constantly striving against the other.” Should a republic be made up of a small group of like-minded people? Or, is diversity of opinion beneficial to the success of a federal government?
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the form of government that was used during and after the Revolutionary War. Below you will find the Articles of Confederation and guided reading questions.
Articles of Confederation
Questions
How united were the states under the Articles of Confederation?
What were two flaws in the Articles of Confederation?
Why don’t we still have the Articles of Confederation as the US Constitution?
Would we be better off if the USA were bound less tightly, the states had most of the power, and the federal government had little power?
Declaration of Independence
Read the Declaration of Independence and answer the following questions:
1. What original or novel thoughts were presented by Jefferson in the Declaration?
2. Compare the theory of government defended in the Declaration with the doctrines of Locke.
3. Who does the Declaration give more rights to the state or national government?
4. What is the proper function of government, according to the Declaration, and why had George III violated his right to rule over the American colonies?
Ch 2 Reading
Here is chapter 2. This reading deals with three documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.
Federalist #10
There are several documents to know, and Federalist #10 is one of them. Madison discusses factions and how to deal with them. You will find Federalist #10 and a series of questions to help you understand the document. These questions are due at the beginning of the next class period.