Category: American History

You have been asked the question: What makes us American? We have established a representative democracy and a written constitution that has lasted for 235 years. The Constitution has upheld our American values, protected our rights, and fostered a will to promote the common welfare of all Americans. In large part, the belief in our Constitution makes us unique as Americans.
You will write an essay in which you will make a reasoned case for your opinion on the Constitutional topics listed below.
!!! Examine Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution. In your opinion, which one has the most significant role in fulfilling the goals of the
Constitution as stated in the Preamble. Think carefully about the Articles, the institutions
which they established, and the authority and powers granted to each. Which Article is most essential in securing a
“more perfect Union”?

Please, use the speech https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/21-world-war-i/woodrow-wilson-requests-war-april-2-1917/ as a primary source.
Also, I need additional secondary sources to present background situation. If you have an access to those two books, please use them for this purpose:
1. Farwell, Byron. Over There: The United States in the Great War, 1917-1918. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1999.
2. Stevenson, David. The First World War And International Politics. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.
If not, refer to up to three sources from JSTOR, or SAGE Journals. The choice of sources is up to you.
And do not forget abou using 17th Edition of Chicago Manual Style in formatting.
Thank you in advance!

essay Question (20 points)
Based on reading (pdf format) “American Government and Civic Engagement”, write a one page essay to discuss the following question: Who govern in America?
Remember: essays always include a title, introduction, body, conclusion and bibliography. For example, for this particular assignment, your essay must have at least 3 paragraphs one for the Introduction, at least 1 for the body, and one for the Conclusion)
Rubric
Your answers and Essay must:
1) Be doubled spaced and written in Times New Roman, Font of 12″, Margin of 1″x1″
2) Written in proper English Grammar, spelling, sentence structures (.5 points penalty per grammar error and misspelling
3) Include your first and last names
4) Late Assignments will automatically be graded as D, a passing grade
Note that your grade will be based on the content of your answers and your writing skills (grammar, spelling, sentence structures, etc)

answer four of the five questions listed below. As part of each question, you will find a set of terms and phrases. Make sure that you use those terms and phrases in answering that question. A significant part of your grade for that answer will be based on how intelligently or meaningfully you use those terms and phrases in constructing your answer for that question. When typing your answers, please highlight those terms and phrases in bold or italics so that it is easy for me to locate them in your answers.
Each of your answers has to be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (please specify the word count for each answer at the end of that answer). While your answer can exceed 500 words if you feel necessary, it should not be fewer than 250 words. Points will be deducted for word counts less than 250. Answers should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman; 12-point font size
Question 1:
Like all modern representative democracies, the American democracy needs political parties, even though George Washington lamented their existence and warned the dangers of parties and partisanship for the health of democracy. What general functions do political parties perform in a representative democracy? To what extent do the parties in the United States fulfill those functions? Also, how are the political parties related to interest groups and social movements? In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Political party
– Primary elections
– National conventions
– Political machines
– Partisanship
– Two-party system
– Minor parties
– Interest group
– Social movement
– Political action committees
– Lobbying
Question 2:
Discuss the process, role, and consequence of elections in American democracy, and what determines citizens’ participation in it. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Political participation
– Turnout
– Literacy test
– Poll tax
– Grandfather clause
– Retrospective voting
– Prospective voting
– Primary
– Caucus
– Presidential elections
– Congressional elections
Question 4:
The American public generally considers the president as the most powerful figure in the country’s politics. Discuss whether that is actually true or not or in what ways and to what extent the president can make a difference in the country’s politics. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Presidential democracy
– Parliamentary democracy
– Electoral college
– Veto message
– Signing statement
– Cabinet
– Presidential transition
– Vice-president
– Power of persuasion
– Power to say no
– Impeachment
– The office of the President
– Divided government
– Unified government
Question 5:
The judiciary has a crucial role in the check and balance system in American democracy. Explain what that role is and the ways in which the judiciary checks the other branches of government and is checked by those branches in turn. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Judicial review
– Judicial restraint approach
– Judicial activist or activism approach
– Constitutional Court
– Marbury v. Madison (1803)
– Supreme Court
– District courts
– Litmus test
– Court packing
– Congressional
– The dual sovereignty principle
– Political liberty
– Economy

One 250 + word essay
The Federal Judiciary
The judicial system in the United States is based on the doctrine of federalism. Two court systems exist side-by-side, national and state, and each has a distinct set of powers. State courts, for the most part, are responsible for handling legal issues that arise under their own laws. It is primarily when a federal questions is presented that the federal judicial system can become involved in a state court. Otherwise, state judiciaries are generally autonomous even from one another. The Constitution precisely outlines the types of cases that can be heard by federal courts, yet it is almost impossible to force a federal court to hear a case that falls under its jurisdiction if the judge(s) want to avoid it. The authority of the U.S. Supreme Court has slowly grown over time, largely through the power of judicial review. Nonetheless, federalism has managed to remain a significant barrier against fedral courts becoming too powerful. The judicial system designed by the framers continues to survive and function after 200 years. However, it is more controversial in 2022 than it has been in former times.
EVERYONE MUST ANSWER ONE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN A 250 OR MORE WORD ESSAY:
1. From the reading, what are the checks on the powers of the judiciary? Are the checks adequate to prevent the abuse of judicial power? Explain.
2. Which position makes the most sense to you, judicial activism or judicial restraint? Justify your position. Is a Republican or a Democratic judge more likely to favor judicial restraint? Explain your answer.
3. This chapter makes the case that federalism is “alive and well” in the relationship between state and federal courts. What evidence is available to support his position?

Pick and answer four of the five questions listed below. As part of each question, you will find a set of terms and phrases. Make sure that you use those terms and phrases in answering that question. A significant part of your grade for that answer will be based on how intelligently or meaningfully you use those terms and phrases in constructing your answer for that question. When typing your answers, please highlight those terms and phrases in bold or italics so that it is easy for me to locate them in your answers.
Each of your answers has to be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (please specify the word count for each answer at the end of that answer). While your answer can exceed 500 words if you feel necessary, it should not be fewer than 250 words. Points will be deducted for word counts less than 250. Answers should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman; 12-point font size; 1” on left, right, top and bottom. You must upload your answer as a word file or a PDF file under the Assignment tab on the left-hand side of the Canvas page, under which you will see the Exam II tab, by January 16, Monday, 5:00 pm. AEST
Question 1:
Like all modern representative democracies, the American democracy needs political parties, even though George Washington lamented their existence and warned the dangers of parties and partisanship for the health of democracy. What general functions do political parties perform in a representative democracy? To what extent do the parties in the United States fulfill those functions? Also, how are the political parties related to interest groups and social movements? In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Political party
– Primary elections
– National conventions
– Political machines
– Partisanship
– Two-party system
– Minor parties
– Interest group
– Social movement
– Political action committees
– Lobbying
Question 2:
Discuss the process, role, and consequence of elections in American democracy, and what determines citizens’ participation in it. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Political participation
– Turnout
– Literacy test
– Poll tax
– Grandfather clause
– Retrospective voting
– Prospective voting
– Primary
– Caucus
– Presidential elections
– Congressional elections
Question 3:
According to the Constitution, Congress is the most important branch of the government; yet, according to the public opinion polls, it is also the least popular one. Discuss the characteristics, operation and functions of Congress, and why it might be so unpopular. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Partisan polarization
– Bicameral legislature
– Filibuster
– Incumbency
– Whip
– Speaker
– Party vote
– Caucus
– Standing committees
– Select committees
– Joint committees
– Conference committees
– Joint resolution
– Divided government
– Unified government
– Pork-barrel legislation
– Earmarks
Question 4:
The American public generally considers the president as the most powerful figure in the country’s politics. Discuss whether that is actually true or not or in what ways and to what extent the president can make a difference in the country’s politics. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Presidential democracy
– Parliamentary democracy
– Electoral college
– Veto message
– Signing statement
– Cabinet
– Presidential transition
– Vice-president
– Power of persuasion
– Power to say no
– Impeachment
– The office of the President
– Divided government
– Unified government
Question 5:
The judiciary has a crucial role in the check and balance system in American democracy. Explain what that role is and the ways in which the judiciary checks the other branches of government and is checked by those branches in turn. In constructing your answer, make sure to use the following terms and phrases in a meaningful way:
– Judicial review
– Judicial restraint approach
– Judicial activist or activism approach
– Constitutional Court
– Marbury v. Madison (1803)
– Supreme Court
– District courts
– Litmus test
– Court packing
– Congressional
– The dual sovereignty principle
– Political liberty
– Economy

The goal of this assignment is to compare two poems. Compare (don’t contrast!) works of
the poetry. Compare the specific elements of the poems such as theme, tone, language, and
speaker. Include the stanza number of the poem while referring to a specific stanza.
Minimum words: 500