Required primary documents - Broadneck High School

 AP Government Summer Assignment 2020Assignment Overview, Rationale, and Relationship to the Course: The summer assignment will serve as an introduction to three of the nation’s founding documents which students will analyze in greater depth during our first unit of study. This assignment will also introduce students to the type of primary sources they will be analyzing during the semester. For this assignment, you will be analyzing some of our nation’s founding documents. All documents are required reading for the course (as outlined by the College Board). They can be challenging readings as many of the documents were written in the eighteenth century, but do your best work and be prepared to discuss these documents during the first weeks of school and throughout the year. There are video to assist you for background, but don’t rely on them totally. The documents also make up some of our nine foundational documents to use as evidence on FRQ writing responses on the AP Exam. Lastly, make sure that you join our Summer resource google classroom. The join code is ksxfx5h. If the code changes for whatever reason or you struggle with access, then email us and we can add you. Part I: Declaration of Independence Analysis In the early 1770’s, many American colonists began to think Britain, led by King George III, intended to take away many of the freedoms they had previously enjoyed. The colonies sent delegates to form the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to determine an appropriate course of action. After the Revolutionary War began and following attempts at reconciliation, the delegates of the Second Continental Congress began to believe independence was their only option. Thomas Jefferson began to write a first draft of the Declaration of Independence. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Britain. Two days later, Congress approved the text of the Declaration of Independence. Directions: Analyze the Declaration of Independence, which can be found here: If you struggle Then, answer the questions that follow in complete sentences using specific references to the text. 1. What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? 2. According to the Declaration of Independence, what are the colonists seeking? 3. According to the Declaration of Independence, where does a government get its power? 4. According to the Declaration of Independence, what is one responsibility that the people have? 6. The Declaration of Independence contains a list of indictments against King George III of Britain. In your opinion, which two are the most serious? Explain your reasoning. 7. In your opinion, were the colonists justified in declaring independence? Explain using specific references to the text. 8. How did the ideas of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration mirror the concept of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory? II: Articles of Confederation AnalysisWatch the lecture and read the text on the Khan Academy website on the Articles of Confederation, then answer the following questions. and Articles of Confederation After considerable debate, the delegates of the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777. This served as the United States’ first constitution. The Articles of Confederation were in effect from 1781-1789, but there were some considerable weaknesses that existed due to its purpose of preventing tyranny. Then, answer the questions that follow in complete sentences using specific references to the text. 1. Read Articles I-III of the document. What is a confederation? Describe this form of government in your own words. 2. How many branches of the national government existed and what were those different branches? 3. How many states had to vote to pass a law? How many states had to agree to amend, or change the Articles of Confederation? How could or did this prove problematic? 4. What powers did the Articles of Confederation give to the national government? 5. What powers did the Articles of Confederation deny to the national government? 6. The Articles of Confederation did not allow the government the power to tax. How or why could this be problematic for the new government? 7. Why do you think the government established by the Articles of Confederation did not have an executive, such as a president? 8. In your opinion, did the Articles of Confederation establish an effective system of government? Explain your reasoning. Part III: U.S. Constitution Document Analysis By May 1787 several flaws within the Articles of Confederation had become apparent. Delegates from the thirteen states traveled to Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention with the intention of revising the Articles of Confederation. After several weeks of debate, the delegates decided to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution. The U.S. Constitution was signed on May 17, 1787 and was then ratified by the states, going into effect in 1789. Directions: Analyze the U.S. Constitution, which can be found here: (“What it says, what it means.”)Respond to the prompts below. The PreambleWhat were and are the major objectives of the Constitution? Which one of the objectives is most important? Which one of them has been brought into question recently with the government’s reaction to the Corona Virus outbreak? Article IWhat is the job of the legislative Branch? How are the members of Congress from each house elected? What are some of the powers that were granted to legislative branch that were not granted to the legislative branch in the Articles of Confederation? How would you define the necessary and proper clause? Does this create an unnecessary grey area left open to interpretation to who is in power or is necessary to address the unintended changes to society we experience as time goes on? Article IIHow is the President elected? Would you label this direct or indirect democracy? What are some of the major powers of the President?Why do you think the powers listed are so vague and limited in number? Article IIIWhat is the job of the federal courts? How do judges and justices get to serve in the courts? Judges in the federal courts serve for life time tenure. Why do you think the framers set up this system for selection and tenure? Article IVSummarize this article: Article VDescribe the process for amending or changing the Constitution amended? Article VIWhen it comes to the debates over sovereignty and jurisdiction between the national government and states who will likely prevail? Why? Foundational Document AnalysisChoose one of the foundational documents from the list below. Write a one page analysis that is at least three paragraphs and one page length which documents your research and understanding of the arguments made by the writer. In your analysis include the following:A thesis summarizing the main argumentsReasons and evidence from the document used to support the main argumentsYour opinion on the arguments of the writer with reasoning. Required primary documentsFederalist No. 10 (full text, video part 1, video part 2)Brutus No. 1 (full text, video)Federalist No. 51 (full text, article, video)Federalist No. 70 (full text, video)Federalist No. 78 (full text, article)Letter from a Birmingham Jail (full text, video)LASTLY, MAKE SURE THAT YOU START AN ACCOUNT WITH THE COLLEGE BOARD WEBSITE ATTACHED TO YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL. YOU WILL NEED AN ACCOUNT TO DO SOME OF THE ASSIGNMENTS AND PRACTICE TESTS WITH THEIR NEW ONLINE RESOURCES. ................
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