Answering Evaluating Idea Questions for American Government Mr. Slater American Government Warwick H.S. 1

Step One – Reading the Question: Understanding what the question is asking 2

Question #1 Historians have speculated that at one time humans lived without a form of organized government. Speculate why early peoples decided to join together, devise laws and create governments thus leaving the “state of nature”? Identify the context / background / setting the question is being placed into (historical, social, economically, political, ect). Determine if there is more than one question within the overall question. 3

Breaking the Question Up Historians have speculated that at one time humans lived without a form of organized government. Speculate why early peoples decided to... join together devise laws create governments thus leaving the “state of nature”? 4

Question #2 Which system of government (unitary, federal, or confederate) would best serve the needs of large and diverse nation like the United States? What advantages does this system of government have over other systems? Explain. Understand the context of the question. Identify and understand what unitary, federal, and confederate means Is there more than one question? 5

Dissecting Question #2 Which system of government (unitary, federal, or confederate) would best serve the needs of large and diverse nation like the United States? – Understanding what each form of govt. entails – Next, how does the size of the population and the expansive nature of the country tend to favor one over another? Explain to the reader. What advantages does this system of government have over other systems? Explain. – Identify multiple advantages of federalism for large nations – Contrast those advantages with unitary and confederate system. – Use real world examples to support your arguments. 6

When writing critically use C.L.U.E.S. Consider the source Lay out the argument Uncover the evidence Evaluate the conclusion Sort out the political implications 7

Question #1 Historians have speculated that at one time humans lived without a form of organized government. Speculate why early peoples decided to join together, devise laws and create governments thus leaving the “state of nature”? People decided to bring organization to chaos. The group or clan provided a level of protection and security that the individual would be unable to achieve on their own. In order to gain the protection of the group people entered into the “social contract” where they voluntarily left a “state of nature” in which they could do anything they pleased. Government began with strong and wise leaders who convinced others that organization and authority were necessary in order to survive and thrive. Rules or laws were created in order for stability to exist within the group and to minimize conflict. 8

Question #2 Which system of government (unitary, federal, or confederate) would best serve the needs of large and diverse nation like the United States? What advantages does this system of government have over other systems? Explain. The best system of government to serve the needs of a large and diverse nation is the federal system. The federal system has a strong national government but allows smaller units of government (state and local governments) to manage their areas of responsibility and addressing the unique wants and needs of their people. In essence, federalism allows lesser units of government a degree of sovereignty (or self- control) to allow decision making to be tailored to the individual community’s concerns. A Unitary system (or a strong, centralized government), may work well in small nations like Britain but would become too bogged down with trying to manage all of the affairs of the whole nation. A Confederate system places too much power in the hands of the state at the expense of the national government. The national government is rather weak and cannot compel individual states to abide by national policies or laws. 9

Other Considerations... Spelling and grammar are important! Reread your work and spell check. Neatness and professionalism. No crossed out words or crumbled papers. Always write out the question. Always include your name, period, date, subject (in the upper left hand corner), and a title for your work. If typing always double-space. Only navy blue or black ink pens are acceptable – NO PENCILS! 10