Overview
1. How might we connect President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, in terms of ideas,
themes, and arguments, to Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July speech? What kinds of arguments related to the principles of liberty, equality and democracy are common to both? Your response must include properly cited evidence from both speeches and the textbook. This includes some direct quotes from all sources. 2. Using evidence from both Federalist 10 and 51, as well as the Constitution and our textbook, explain in specific terms how the principle of the separation of powers would help to guard against the rise of a tyrannical government. What does this principle mean?
2 What is James Madison’s argument in 10 and 51, in terms of how this principle would help to structure the U.S. Constitution and protect the liberties of citizens? Your response must include properly cited evidence from at least one of the assigned Federalist Papers (including some direct quotes), the Constitution of the United States, and the textbook. This includes some direct quotes from all sources. 3. First: What is federalism? In what specific ways does federalism shape the system of government created by the Constitution? Second: The textbook discusses several advantages and disadvantages of a federal system of government. Briefly discuss one of the advantages and one of the disadvantages. Your response must include properly cited evidence from the U.S. Constitution, the textbook, and the Annenberg Classroom video “The Supremacy Clause: McCulloch v. Maryland” (including timestamps). This includes some direct quotes from all sources. 4. What expressed (or enumerated) powers does Article I of the U.S. Constitution grant to the legislative branch? What implied powers does Article I grant to the legislative branch? Why did the Framers want Congress to have these powers (instead of the president or the courts)? Your response must include properly cited evidence from the U.S. Constitution, the Civics 101 podcast “How can Congress check the president?” (including timestamps) and the textbook. This includes some direct quotes from all sources. Bonus (2 points): The authors of our textbook argue "that the modern political system could not exist without" political parties. Why do they make this claim? Your response must include properly cited evidence from the textbook, including some direct quotes.