"Promote the General Welfare?"

Click on the links below, and carefully read the articles:

Bush Vetoes Child Health Care Bill

House to Vote on New Child Health Bill


Then, based on the article and our discussion in class, reflect on the following questions:

What are the checks and balances taking place here?
Is healthcare a federal, city, or individual responsibility?
What are the limits of "promote the general welfare?"

Homework 10/16/07

Imagine...Only ONE of the 10 Amendments that make up the Bill of Rights could be added to the Constitution. In other words, you can only one have one freedom guaranteed to you by the Constitution.

Which one would you choose? Free speech is nice, but what about the rights of people accused of crimes? Or, it doesn't really sound like it does a whole bunch, what about the 10th amendment, which gives powers not specifically given to the Federal gov't back to the states?

Think very carefully. Then write a post of at least 50 words, but not more than 100 that identifies the amendment you choose, and more importantly, a detailed explanation about your reasons for keeping that amendment.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Notes on Ratification

RATIFICATION DEBATES:
Immediately following the Constitutional Convention the delegates to Philadelphia brought the newly crafted Constitution to their home states for ratification (or approval). Most states held special ratification conventions, with elected officials representing counties or regions throughout the state. The New York ratifying convention was held in the city of Poughkeepsie.

While many of the smaller states quickly ratified the new Constitution, the debate in the two largest and most important states, New York and Virginia, raged on for months. The debate in New York was particularly divisive. The Constitutional supporters, the Federalists, took the debate into the public forum of the press, publishing a series of pro-ratification essays collectively known as the Federalist Papers. While the Federalist Papers were simply signed "Publius" they were the work of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay and they still stand today as some of the greatest commentary on the meaning and intent of the Constitution's chief authors.

The Anti-Federalist opposition to ratification was strong and while all of the states eventually accepted the new government, states such as Virginia and Massachusetts did so only after attaching recommendations concerning the addition of a Bill of Rights. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution were added soon after ratification and became the U.S. Bill of Rights and stand as the Anti-Federalists greatest contribution to the Constitution they so opposed.
/Users/901/Desktop/feds_antifeds2.gif

Tonight's HW 10/12/07

Here's tonight's HW assignment:

1. READ: The handout you were given in class today. You'll be reading pages 70-74. Since these are yours, feel free to highlight, annotate, etc.


2. When you're done reading, complete the following:

a. "Terms to Know" on p. 70
b. "Reviewing and Using" p. 74. You are only responsible for completing numbers ONE, FIVE AND SIX (that's 1, 5, and 6).

Due Monday.

Keep up the good work!

Exam Review Notes

Foundations of US Govt
Influences
1. Enlightenment Thinkers: (J-Locke)
a. Power from THE PEOPLE
b. PEOPLE have RIGHTS
c. POWER must be SEPARATED
i. 3 BRANCHES

2. Colonial Gov’t
“MC HOB NET M”
a. Mayflower Compact
b. House of Burgesses
c. New England Town Meeting
IMPORTANT! PEOPLE P.I.G. (participate in gov’t)

3. American Revolution
a. D.O.I. – Jefferson wrote it
i. People’s rights being abused
ii. Gov’t must be removed

4. Articles of Confederation (AOC)
a. 1st US Gov’t – Didn’t Work
i. States have too much power

5. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Created NEW Gov’t
Needed COMPROMISE to get it done
a. GREAT COMPROMISE
i. 2 houses of CONGRESS (makes laws)
ii. Senate (2 per state)
iii. H.O.R. (based on population)
b. 3/5
i. 3/5 slaves could be counted for representatives and taxes
c. COMMERCE
i. Over Control of Trade
ii. Southern and Northern States
iii. Federal gov't gets the power to control trade, but...
1. No Tariffs (TAXES) on exports
2. Slave trade ends 1808

Constitutional Foundations Study Guide

Good Review site:
http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/themes/government/index.htm

30 Short Answer: 10 Vocab, 20 M/C
1 Essay
People, Terms and Concepts
• Articles of Confederation
• Mercantalism
• Declaration of Independence
• Great Compromise
• Enlightenment
• Three-Fifths Compromise
• Common Sense
• John Locke
• Thomas Jefferson
• John Peter Zenger Trial

Multiple Choice:

• What was important aboutr the Mayflower Compact, Va. House of Burgesses; What are they examples of?
• What were the differences between the Va. Plan and the NJ Plan?
• What was John Locke’s theory of natural rights?
• Who had a big influence on Thomas Jefferson, and what he wrote in the DOI?
• What are the basic ideas stated in the DOI?
• How are the DOI and Bill of Rights similar?
• What’s the fundamental purpose of gov’t?
• What did the Great Compromise do? What issues did it settle?
• How did the AOC work?
• Why was the AOC unsuccessful?
• Why was Common Sense Important?
• Why was the John Peter Zenger trial important?
• How did Mercantalism work?

Thematic Essay: Constitutional Issues

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 adopted several compromises to resolve disagreements over major issues facing the new nation.

Task:

Identify two issues from the Constitutional Convention of 1787 (what were two disagreements that occurred?).

For each issue identified


• Describe the disagreement that arose over the issue at the C.C. (tell us about the disagreement; don’t just say what it was! Who was it between? What was it over?)
• Explain how the issue was resolved through the use of Compromise (Give the details behind the compromises; how did they work? What did each side get?

You may use any Cold War problems from your study of United States history. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include, but are not limited to:

• Representation in Congress
• Slavery
• Taxation


Resources:

Chapter 4 (p 20-34) of the BLUE Review Books (the big handout from class),

Textbook Chapter 4

Regentsprep.org – follow the links for Government.

Fdmurphy.com – follow the links for essay writing

Socialstudieshelp.com

Assignments 10/1-10/5/07

For the upcoming week, I have listed a tentative set of
assignments. Hopefully, this will help both students and parents to
plan their study and homework sessions accordingly.

Monday: Read pp. 140-144 in Textbook. Complete "Terms and Names,"
and "Critical Thinking" #4 on p. 144

Tuesday: Reading of an in-class handout pp. 50-56. Complete "Review
and Using the Lesson" p. 52 (#1 only) and p. 56 (#1 and #3).

Wed: Blog Assignment: Was the 3/5 compromise the best possible
solution to the issue of slavery?

Thu/Fri: To Be Determined.

In addition to these assignments, our first exam is tentatively
scheduled for Friday October 12th. The exam will cover the
foundations of America's government, from colonial times through the
constitutional convention. It will consist of roughly 25-30 short
answer questions, and one essay question.

The following website has all of the material that will be on the
exam:
Regents Prep

Blog Assignment #7 - Can you trust the Federal Gov't?

The Articles of Confederation, the first government of the United States, was set up with very little power over the states. This was done as a result of a fear, or distrust of a strong central government. This likely came from the colonist's experiences under Britain in the 1760's.

Today, many people continue to distrust the Federal Government. In your opinion, is this distrust justified? Or, is it OK to trust your federal government?

Reflect on this question, and write a reaction of at least 50, but no more than 100 words.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Blog HW Assignment #6 - "Tasered"

TASERED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swg4E2FzTzE
democracynow.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkjyKDtbCcI
cnn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JHfW1zDMSQ
first advocate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awxc6Yq7YJc
dennis miller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HikH0jjp6s

bill oreilly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QTr-UPpqfA

hardball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_IexfMaDXc
wolf biltzer


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QnEs7QOYE0
last advocate



Watch all the videos.

How are they different?
What does the public have to say about this event?
How does the article distributed in class differ from the videos?
What really happened?
Which of the above video clips seems to be the most accurate?

Where do we get our news from?

How are individuals supposed to express anger at the elected officials?

Here's what other high school students think about this situation. Click to see their thoughts

HW 9/18/07

Democracy means "rule of the people." In other words, people are the source of power in this form of government. People in a democracy use thier power when they vote.

Here's a question to consider. Write a reflection of at least five, but no more than eight sentences based on this question.

What reasons might explain why people have been denied the right to vote?

If possible, please use specific examples.

Remember, ANONYMOUS POSTS WILL NOT BE COUNTED. You must sign your name somewhere, preferably at the bottom of your post. You must write your first name, last initial, and class period.

See ya tomorrow!

Extra Credit Blog Assignment

Go to the following article

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/11/nyregion/11councils.html?_r=1&ref=education&oref=slogin

Read the article carefully.
Post a response to the following questions.

1. Who has jurisdiction, or authority over the school discipline code?
2. Are students "rights" being violated?
3. How can rules and laws be changed?

NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANONYMOUS POSTS! You must identify yourself

Tonight's HW 9/17/07

Tonight's HW:

Here are the terms for tonight's HW. Remember, for each one, you have to
1. Write a brief definition or description.
2. Discuss its purpose
3. State why the person, term, or concept is important.

You should write at least three, but no more than five sentences for each term.

The terms:

1. John Locke (he's a person)
2. Virginia House of Burgesses
3. Mayflower Compact
4. Declaration of Independence
5. Articles of Confederation
6. Northwest Ordinance
7. Constitutional Convention
8. Great Compromise.

You should find all of the information you need in your hand-out. If you want, or need more info, feel free to click on http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/themes/government/index.htm for more information. Follow the links on the right hand side of the page to help you.

Blog Assignment # 3 - 9/11 Illness

Please click on the link below (or the posting title) and read the article that follows.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/06/nyregion/06health.html?ex=1315195200&en=555a379d601bc494&ei=5090
After you read the article, write a reflection, based on the following questions:

How has money played a role in the care of 9/11 cleanup victims?
Who is at fault for the illness?
What changes in finance need to be made to correct the problem?
Is health care a federal, city or individual responsibility?

Mr. Walter Brown, a teacher at the Queens High School of Teaching, has a senior government class that is working on the same assignment. Click on the link below to access their class blog, and see what his kids had to say.

http://qhst-seniors.blogspot.com/2007/09/911-illness.html

See you Tuesday!

A Word About Posts

Hello, Everyone:

Just a short note about posting.

1. Posts are not IM's, or texts. They are serious pieces of writing. It is a homework assignment. Please write the same way you would when you are turning in a composition for grading.

2. PLEASE sign your name, and class period to your post. It will make it much easier for me to determine who is who, and give credit to the people who deserve it.

3. Avoid using your last name. Your First Name and last initial, as well as your class period will be just fine.

4. Please avoid multiple postings of the same posts. Posts are moderated, which means I have to approve them before they go on the blog. That's why you won't see it right away. It doesn't mean that I didn't get it. If you sent it, I'll get it.

Thanks!

Blog Assignment #2 - What does it mean to be an American?

Hello, Everyone:

Here is your assignment for this weekend. I think you will find it to be helpful as you complete your project "What America Means to Me."

Here's what you have to do.

1. Click, or copy this link into your browser. You can also access the article by clicking on the title of this post.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-02-americans-cover_x.htm

2. After you access the article, please read it carefully.

3. After you read the article, post your response to the following question:

"What does it mean to be an American?"

4. Make sure your post is at least 50 words long, but no more than 100.

5. Please spell check your post before sending. Thanks!

See you Monday!

Blog Assignment #1: THe Human Barometer

Think about the "human barometer" exercise we completed in class today. Then, using the questions to guide you, complete a reflection on that activity.

How did you feel?
What emotions did you experience?
What surprised you?
What, if anything made you angry?
How will this help you to do things differently now? What will you change?

Please be open, and honest. Your response should be at least 40 to 50 words. You'll probably write more, and that's OK, too.

DBQ Homework Assignment

Hello, Everyone:

Here's your assignment:

1. Go to the following link, and download the August 2005 Regents Exam

http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/socstre/ushg-805.pdf

2. After you download the exam, answer the DBQ Questions.

3. Create an outline for your DBQ essay, using the block outline we have discussed in class.

Good luck!

Cold War Test Study Guide!

Test Date: Monday May 13th
HELP CLASSES will be given!

Vocabulary: About 10-12

· Containment
· Détente
· McCarthyism
· Cold War
· Iron Curtain
· Marshall Plan
· Truman Doctrine
· Berlin Airlift
· Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
· NATO
· Bay of Pigs
· Cuban Missile Crisis
· H.U.A.C.

Multiple Choice: About 20

How were the Red Scare after WWI, and McCarthyism SIMILAR to each other?
What the TRUMAN DOCTRINE, MARSHALL PLAN, and EISENHOWER DOCTRINE all had in common
WHY did the Cold War take place?
What was the constitutional issue with the Vietnam War and Korean War (hint: was war ever declared?)
How did America’s foreign policy change after WWII (hint: what is NATO?)
How did the US try to stop the spread of communism in Europe?
Why did President Truman dismiss General MacArthur during the Korean War?
What was the purpose of the WAR POWERS ACT?
What has been the aim of America’s foreign policy THROUGHOUT its history?
What was a RESULT of the GULF OF TONKIN resolution?
What caused the Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuban missile crisis, and building of Berlin Wall?
What was a major result of the Korean War?
How are the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf Wars all similar (no declaration of war).
What was the main reason for the Marshall plan?
Why did the US become involved in Vietnam?
Reason for HUAC investigations
GOAL of the policy of Containment
Why did the relationship between USSR and US become strained after WWII

Thematic Essay: Cold War (from the August 2005 Regents Exam)

Following World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in
a conflict that became known as the Cold War. The Cold War created problems
that the United States addressed with specific actions. These actions had varying
degrees of success.

Task:

Identify two problems faced by the United States during the Cold War and for
Each

• Explain how the problem led to conflict between the United States and the
Soviet Union (Give the reasons why this problem led to conflict)

• Describe one action taken by the United States in response to the problem (tell us about the action; don’t just say what it was! How did it work? What happened?)

• Evaluate the extent to which the action taken was successful in solving the
problem (how successful was the action? Why?)

You may use any Cold War problems from your study of United States history. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include the postwar economic upheaval in Western
Europe (1945–1947), Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe (1945–1948), threat of Communist
takeover in Greece (1947), Soviet blockade of Berlin (1948), nuclear arms race (1950s–1970s), and placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba (1962)

Resources:
Chapter 9 (p 90-99) of the BLUE Review Books, p. 108, 112 of the BLUE Book (for Bay of Pigs, Vietnam)

Textbook Chapter 26

Regentsprep.org – follow the links for Foreign Policy/Cold War

Fdmurphy.com – follow the links for essay writing

Socialstudieshelp.com

HW Assignment 5/8/07

Internet Assignment.

You will need to have internet access to complete the assignment. If you are reading this, then you have internet access.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Click on the link below for "The Vietnam War: A Study in Photographs"

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/vietnam-photos/

2. Follow the webpage down, and click on the links for the pictures related to the war.

3. Choose THREE PICTURES, and complete a PHOTOGRAPH ANALYSIS WORKSHEET for each picture. The link is also listed below.

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/photo.html

Due Thursday

Extra Credit Part II

http://qhst-seniors.blogspot.com/2007/04/privacy-vs-safety-on-campus.html

Click on the link above. Post a creative, thoughtful comment. Make sure it is checked for spelling, and grammar.

NO CREDIT FOR ANONYMOUS POSTS! If I don't know who did it, you don't get credit!

Worth up to 2 points on your final semester grade!