1. 1. Congressional Legislation Part 4

2.   SWBAT evaluate the various methods by which the legislative branch of the United States government attempted to pass laws address important social and economic issues. Lesson Objective

3.   Reform  make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.  Recall: Government Reforms  Recall: How affective is the government generally in fixing problems within society? List 1 example of a reform that fixed a problem and explain how it did so.  Chart & Share Out  Discussion  How do individual people often influence the development of government reform movements? Word of the Day/Initial Activity

4.   Focus Question: How did Congress pass pieces of legislation in an attempt to address important social and economic issues?  Read GI Bill/ Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (1944)  Read Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)  Read North American Free Trade Agreement (1992)  Read Civil Rights Act of 1964 (1964)  For your reading:  Summarize the events leading up to the passage of the legislation.  Explain the impact of this piece of legislation on American society.  Extension Activity  Complete additional readings besides the one assigned to your group.  Share Out Activity 1: Congressional Legislation Jigsaw

5.   Goal: To incorporate one example from the jigsaw into a well-written body paragraph.  Structure:  Transition : “One example of a congressional legislation is…”  Historical Circumstance: List relevant background information for why the law was passed.  Analyze impact on American society : How did this law change America?  Relate back to thesis: The Homestead Act had a profound impact on America’s economy and society. Congressional Legislation Essay Body Paragraph Practice

6.   1. GI Bill/ Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (1944)  a. Government will provide money to soldiers returning home from WWII  a. Soldiers will buy homes and go to college with money.  2. Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)  a. Makes discrimination due to physical or mental illness illegal.  3. North American Free Trade Agreement (1992)  a. Allows for free trade between Canada, America and Mexico leading to lots of wealth.  4. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (1964)  a. Makes discrimination due to race or gender illegal and ends segregation in public locations. Mini-Lesson

7.   Exit Ticket One similarity between the Open Door Policy of the early 1900's and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of the 1990's is that both were intended to a. lower tariffs on imports b. improve relations in East Asia c. expand economic links between nations d. relax restrictions on immigration Toward the end of World War II, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act (first GI bill, 1944) attempted to benefit American society by a. guaranteeing racial equality in the Armed Forces b. providing educational and financial assistance to veterans c. abolishing the draft during peacetime d. strengthening the concept of civilian control of the military Summary