This document contains questions and prompts related to various topics in American government including the Constitution, principles of government, branches of government, political parties, interest groups, and propaganda. Students are asked to define terms, summarize information, explain concepts, and justify opinions on issues such as the role of the media, gerrymandering, the Affordable Care Act, and whether the US is the greatest country in the world.

1. BELL RINGERS
American Government

2. THE GREATEST COUNTRY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMwF_Si7T4I

3. QUESTION:
•Is the United States the “Greatest
Country in the World? Why or why
not? Justify your answer.

4. THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5QPncdkTM

5. QUESTION
• The US Constitution is based on how many
principles? Once you have answered, in
your own words explain why it is important
to know the principles upon which the
government is founded.
Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers,
Checks and Balances, Federalism, and Judicial Review

6. ENLIGHTENMENT
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vkx7hNXE3Y

7. QUESTION
•In your own words,
write five (5) sentences
that explain the
enlightenment.

8. I HAVE LOOKED FOR OUR RIGHTS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDzwtl5Z2cA#t=1
7

9. QUESTION
•What is the debate between Adams
and Dickerson about? Who makes
the best argument and why?

10. CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a36F6vwB-t0

11. QUESTION
•What do Adams and Franklin use to
argue is the British government’s
failure that justifies seeking
independence?

12. THE PREAMBLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5d3haRG7M

13. QUESTION
•What is the preamble and
what is its purpose?
•What does the preamble state
about the United States and
should we learn it?

14. THE ELITE MEDIA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i9fw43Moo

15. THE QUESTION
•Has the media lost their way by
worrying about ratings and funding
instead of serving their stabled
purpose to inform the citizens of the
U.S.? Why or why not? Justify your
answer.

16. DEFINE
•Rule of Law
•Separation
of Powers
•Limited
Government
•Popular
Sovereignty
•Federalism
•Checks and
Balances
•Judicial Review

17. DEMOCRACY AND FREE-ENTERPRISE
• “There is a huge misunderstanding in this country between what constitutes
a "right to worship" and what constitutes "right to religious freedom" or the
freedom to actually live your religion outside of churches. This country was
absolutely founded on the right to have religious liberty and it has being
steadily eroded away at for decades. This now merging with the rights of
private businesses to conduct themselves in a manner they see fit, including
refusing service. If someone doesn't like it, the genius of the free market is
that there will be someone there to receive that person's business. To make
laws chipping away at both the freedoms of religious freedom and private
business ownership because of hurt feelings is a giant stomp to the throat of
democracy. We are setting ourselves up on the classic path to dictatorship.
Study all the great civilizations of the world and after 200 or so years, they all
end up in a very similar position.” ~Jennifer Sanders Peterson Jacobs, Author

18. QUESTION
•After reading this quote, and comparing the
free-enterprise system and democracy on our
last test, do you see a contradiction in the
“real world ideals” and the “short falls of
reality” within our government today? Do you
agree with the statement? Why or why not?
As citizens, and future voters, do you feel like
you can do anything about it? Why or why
not?

19. OBAMACARE

20. OBAMACARE
•What do you think is the
message of this cartoon?
Do you agree with it? Why
or why not?

21. 3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
• With your partner, play Paper, Rock, Scissors for 5 minutes and keep
score of who wins each game, including the ties
• Good introduction to the 3 Branches of Government/ Separation of
Powers. After 5 minutes of play, wins and ties should be roughly
equal….balance of power. And students can associate Paper with
the Legislative branch, Rock with the Executive branch, and Scissors
with the Judicial Branch

22. TODAY IN HISTORY
• http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do

23. FEDERALISM
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU4A2ZrllNo

24. QUESTION
•How is federalism
represented in this cartoon?
Use examples from the
video to support your
answer.

25. MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYxtCTIQNb4

26. QUESTION
•Explain the significance of
McCulloch v Maryland.
How does it affect us
today? Use examples from
the video.

27. AFFECTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

28. QUESTION
What is the purpose of minor
parties? Are they effective?
Why or why not? Use evidence
from the video to justify your
answer.

29. MEDIAN VOTER THEOREM

30. QUESTION
•Why do all politicians sound the
same during elections? What is
the purpose of having elections or
political parties if they all are going
to agree?
•Five minutes/Five sentences

31. POLITICAL SPECTRUM
TICKET OUT THE DOOR
Rex Tugwell, an advisor to president FDR, said that different attitudes toward change
characterize adherents to different political philosophies. He wrote that if a
community needed a new train station, or education reform, crime control, etc.
1. ____________ would like to rebuild the train station
2. ____________ would like to rebuild the train station while the train is running;
3. ____________ prefer to blow up the train station and forgo service until the
new structure is built
4. _____________ would prefer to keep the old station, being satisfied with it,
5. While, ____________ would abandon the station entirely since they do not
approve of trains in the entirely since they do not approve of trains in the first
place.

32. INTEREST GROUPS

33. QUESTION
•What is the purpose of interest
groups and how do they
affect politics? Five minutes
five sentences.

34. GERRYMANDERING

35. QUESTION
• What is your initial reaction to the above?
Do you think that the statement is true? Why
or why not? Support your opinion.
• 5 sentences in 5 minutes.
“As a mapmaker, I can have more of an impact on an election
than a campaign…more of an impact than a candidate. When
I, as a mapmaker, have more of an impact on an election than
the voters…the system is out of whack.” (the Gerrymander, 2006)
-David Winston, GOP redistricting consultant in 1990

36. THE ROLE OF MEDIA
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9avWGxCQo0Y&index=6&list=PL9D51FE89BAC890AB

37. QUESTIONS
1. What is the equal-time rule? And what is the
reason behind it?
2. What was the idea behind fairness doctrine? Do
you think the fairness doctrine should be reinstated?
Why or why no?
3. Are you satisfied with political coverage from the
media? Why or why not?
Five minutes to answer.

38. PROPOGANDA
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2jrbsQLuw0
• While you watch this video write down ONLY the type of propaganda (I will
point out the first one to you.)

39. QUESTION
• What is the purpose of propaganda? Do
you think it affects the decisions we make
each day? Why or why not? Use
evidence from the video to support your
answer.
• Five minutes, five sentences.

40. POWERS OF CONGRESS

41. QUESTION
•Why, do YOU believe, the Constitution
gives Congress, and not the President,
the power to declare war? Do you
agree with this power? Why or why
not?