Political Parties and the Electoral Process
“I was born and raised in America. You are not just for the right or left, but for what is right over the wrong. I am not red or blue. I am red, white and blue. Those are the same colors in my body (my heart, blood and veins). I am only human, and the human race is the only race in which I am an active participant - mind, body and soul.”― Suzy Kassem
"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.“ – Thomas Jefferson
“So, let us not be blind to our differences--but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” –President John F. Kennedy
"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.“ – Thomas Jefferson
“So, let us not be blind to our differences--but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” –President John F. Kennedy
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Learning Goals:
Students will understand the ideas of and the differences between America’s current political parties and how the nation elects it's representatives. Students will understand the electoral process. |
Benchmarks:
SS.7.C.2.8 Content Complexity: Level 2/ Skills and Concepts Identify America's current political parties, and illustrate their ideas about government. SS.7.C.2.9 Content Complexity: Level 2/ Skills and Concepts Evaluate candidates for political office by analyzing their qualifications, experience, issue-based platforms, debates, and political ads. SS.7.C.2.13 Content Complexity: Level 3/Strategic Thinking-Reasoning Examine multiple perspectives on public and current issues. |
Key terms:
Political Party: a group of people who have similar beliefs/values and try to get candidates elected to influence governments’ laws.
Party Platform: the values and beliefs of a political party. (what they “stand” for)
Political Candidate: someone trying to be elected to a political office. (president, congress, mayor, governor, etc…)
Two Party System: a party system where two major political parties dominate the government.
Independent: A candidate who isn’t a member of the Republican or Democratic Party.
3rd party: Any political party in the U.S. that isn’t Democrat or Republican
Political Party: a group of people who have similar beliefs/values and try to get candidates elected to influence governments’ laws.
Party Platform: the values and beliefs of a political party. (what they “stand” for)
Political Candidate: someone trying to be elected to a political office. (president, congress, mayor, governor, etc…)
Two Party System: a party system where two major political parties dominate the government.
Independent: A candidate who isn’t a member of the Republican or Democratic Party.
3rd party: Any political party in the U.S. that isn’t Democrat or Republican
Task 1: Parties and the Political Spectrum
Today’s activity will get you to think about what your political beliefs and values are. You will start by learning about the different political parties and where their beliefs fall on a “political spectrum.”
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Directions:
Read through the document titled "Political Parties Questions." After reading about Democrats and Republicans, follow the directions below before answering the questions within the document. Summarize: With your shoulder partner, write down what you feel are the most important values/beliefs of the Democratic Party. Be prepared to share with the class. (also identify any ideas/vocab you don’t understand) *Guiding question…what does your party think about the role/size of government? (Big? Small? Use context clues to determine) Summarize: With your shoulder partner, write down what you feel are the most important values/beliefs of the Republican Party. Be prepared to share with the class. (also identify any ideas/vocab you don’t understand) |
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Task 2: Political Parties Scavenger Hunt
Follow the directions below to complete this Scavenger Hunt. For some questions you will have to click on the links provided, and for others you will have to use a general internet search.
CLICK HERE to answer the questions below:
1. Write down the name of ONE state with ALL Republican representatives.
2. Write down the name of ONE state with ALL Democratic representatives.
CLICK HERE to answer the questions below:
Using the same webpage, click on Sort by State.
3. Find a state where the two senators from that state are members of different political parties and write down the name of that state.
4. Find a state where the two senators from that state are members of the same political party and write down the name of that state.
5. Based on questions 1-4, what conclusions can you make about the impact of location/region on political values across the country?
CLICK HERE to answer the questions below:
1. Write down the name of ONE state with ALL Republican representatives.
2. Write down the name of ONE state with ALL Democratic representatives.
CLICK HERE to answer the questions below:
Using the same webpage, click on Sort by State.
3. Find a state where the two senators from that state are members of different political parties and write down the name of that state.
4. Find a state where the two senators from that state are members of the same political party and write down the name of that state.
5. Based on questions 1-4, what conclusions can you make about the impact of location/region on political values across the country?
Use an internet search to find the answers to the following questions:
6. In his farewell address, George Washington warned Americans of the dangers of political parties. Our first president thought that parties would tear the young country apart. Search the internet to answer: In what countries are political parties illegal? (think about what these countries have in common)
Do you agree or disagree with George Washington's statement on political parties?
7. Which political party is President Trump a member of? What about our last President, Barrack Obama?
8. The two most popular "3rd parties" in the U.S. are the Libertarian Party and the Green Party. These are the only U.S. parties that aren't Democrat Republican with more than 100,000 registered voters.
Write down the names of each of the following 3rd Parties. Then, match the name of the party with the correct term that describes their Party Platform.
6. In his farewell address, George Washington warned Americans of the dangers of political parties. Our first president thought that parties would tear the young country apart. Search the internet to answer: In what countries are political parties illegal? (think about what these countries have in common)
Do you agree or disagree with George Washington's statement on political parties?
7. Which political party is President Trump a member of? What about our last President, Barrack Obama?
8. The two most popular "3rd parties" in the U.S. are the Libertarian Party and the Green Party. These are the only U.S. parties that aren't Democrat Republican with more than 100,000 registered voters.
Write down the names of each of the following 3rd Parties. Then, match the name of the party with the correct term that describes their Party Platform.
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Click on each 3rd party below to read about their party platform.
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A. a political party that believes the government should control the entire economy, and there should be no private ownership of business.
B. a political party that believes in individual freedom and believes the only purpose of government is to protect this freedom. Less intervention in people’s lives, business, and avoid foreign conflict whenever possible. C. a political party that believes in democratic government but also that the government should run some of the largest parts of the economy. D. this party believes in protecting the environment and upholding social justice while avoiding foreign conflict whenever possible. |
BONUS QUESTION: Write down the name of at least one "third party member" of Congress (House of Representatives OR the Senate) who are either serving now or have served in the past. When did they serve and for what state?
Task 3: Kanye for President?
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We've learned the basics about political parties, but what does it take to run for political office? Remember this is a responsibility of citizenship. |
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Open the attached file titled "Running for Office" and follow the directions.
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Task 4: Candidate Evaluation Practice
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Open the attached file to the right titled "Candidate Evaluation" and answer the questions in your spirals.
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Task 5: The Electoral College
KEY TERMS
Popular vote: Counting votes from individual citizens for a political office, not elected representatives.
Nomination: A political candidate receives this when chosen by a political party to represent them in a political election.
Majority: More than half…Example: A candidate needs more than half of voters to vote for them in order to win an election. More than half of Congress needs to vote yes to pass laws. This term is an important aspect of a democracy.
Minority: Less than half…Example: A candidate with less than half of the votes in an election loses. This term also refers to members of a smaller group in a population.
Political Campaign: The process of trying to get elected to a political office. (debates, giving speeches, using ads/propaganda, etc… to try and get votes and get in office)
Primary Election: Elections that determine who will represent each political party in the “main” or “final” election for office.
General Election: An election where the winner enters into a political office. The “final” or “main” election.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE: The system that elects the U.S. President. There is a popular vote in each state and the candidate that receives a majority of that popular vote will receive that states’ “electoral votes” based on their population. States with more people have more electoral votes. The candidate that receives a majority of 270 electoral votes, out of 538 total, becomes President. One of the weaknesses of this system is that a winner of the popular vote can LOSE in the electoral college and vice-versa.
Popular vote: Counting votes from individual citizens for a political office, not elected representatives.
Nomination: A political candidate receives this when chosen by a political party to represent them in a political election.
Majority: More than half…Example: A candidate needs more than half of voters to vote for them in order to win an election. More than half of Congress needs to vote yes to pass laws. This term is an important aspect of a democracy.
Minority: Less than half…Example: A candidate with less than half of the votes in an election loses. This term also refers to members of a smaller group in a population.
Political Campaign: The process of trying to get elected to a political office. (debates, giving speeches, using ads/propaganda, etc… to try and get votes and get in office)
Primary Election: Elections that determine who will represent each political party in the “main” or “final” election for office.
General Election: An election where the winner enters into a political office. The “final” or “main” election.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE: The system that elects the U.S. President. There is a popular vote in each state and the candidate that receives a majority of that popular vote will receive that states’ “electoral votes” based on their population. States with more people have more electoral votes. The candidate that receives a majority of 270 electoral votes, out of 538 total, becomes President. One of the weaknesses of this system is that a winner of the popular vote can LOSE in the electoral college and vice-versa.
Directions: After viewing the political cartoons and the videos below, Choose ONE of the following assessments to show your understanding of the Electoral College:
1) Write a minimum two paragraph response, using at least 3 pieces of evidence, to the following prompt:
What are the benefits of using the electoral college to elect the U.S. President? What are some of the problems/downfalls of the electoral college? What is your opinion on the electoral college?
2) Create a political cartoon that either supports or criticizes the Electoral College, while using at least 3 pieces of evidence.
3) Write a rap or poem that either supports or criticizes the Electoral College, while using at least 3 pieces of evidence.
4) Create a T-chart that shows the pros and cons (positives and negatives) of using the Electoral College to elect the U.S. President.
1) Write a minimum two paragraph response, using at least 3 pieces of evidence, to the following prompt:
What are the benefits of using the electoral college to elect the U.S. President? What are some of the problems/downfalls of the electoral college? What is your opinion on the electoral college?
2) Create a political cartoon that either supports or criticizes the Electoral College, while using at least 3 pieces of evidence.
3) Write a rap or poem that either supports or criticizes the Electoral College, while using at least 3 pieces of evidence.
4) Create a T-chart that shows the pros and cons (positives and negatives) of using the Electoral College to elect the U.S. President.
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Task 6: 270 to Win
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DIRECTIONS: CLICK HERE to go to 270towin.com and go through the attached questions titled "270 to win Questions."
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Task 7: Not throwing a party...making one
Step 1: Come up with the following:
2.Education
3.Role of the Government
4.Energy/Environment
5.Immigration
6.Taxes/The Economy
Each Platform topic should be described with at least a paragraph summary. You are creating your own political party; so develop your own philosophies and opinions on these issues.
Step 2: Compare your NEW party values with that of the Democratic and Republican parties.
- The Name of Your Party
- An Animal that Represents your Party
- A Motto for your Party
- The Party’s Platform Views on These Issues (if you would like to add more you can):
2.Education
3.Role of the Government
4.Energy/Environment
5.Immigration
6.Taxes/The Economy
Each Platform topic should be described with at least a paragraph summary. You are creating your own political party; so develop your own philosophies and opinions on these issues.
Step 2: Compare your NEW party values with that of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Task 8: "Go ahead, throw your vote away!!"
Make sure you know the how to answer the questions below from previous terms and activities before continuing...
1. What are the two major political parties in America?
2. Review the terms "independent candidate" and "3rd party."
3. What was significant about the 1992 and 1996 Presidential Election? (look at your answers from the "270 to win" activity or in the US Electoral College Map image below) Independent candidate Ross Perot received almost 20 million popular votes in 1992 and over 8 million popular votes in 1996. However, what do you notice about the states on the Electoral College map during that election?
The clip below is from a Simpson Halloween Special. In the episode, space aliens kidnap and impersonate President Clinton and Senator Dole during the 1996 Presidential Election. Homer reveals the truth to the citizens of Springfield.
1. What are the two major political parties in America?
2. Review the terms "independent candidate" and "3rd party."
3. What was significant about the 1992 and 1996 Presidential Election? (look at your answers from the "270 to win" activity or in the US Electoral College Map image below) Independent candidate Ross Perot received almost 20 million popular votes in 1992 and over 8 million popular votes in 1996. However, what do you notice about the states on the Electoral College map during that election?
The clip below is from a Simpson Halloween Special. In the episode, space aliens kidnap and impersonate President Clinton and Senator Dole during the 1996 Presidential Election. Homer reveals the truth to the citizens of Springfield.
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WRITE A SHORT RESPONSE TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:
The clips above offered political commentary, or an opinion about something in politics that is controversial in some way. What were the writers on The Simpsons trying to express about the Electoral College and 3rd party/independent politics in America?
The clips above offered political commentary, or an opinion about something in politics that is controversial in some way. What were the writers on The Simpsons trying to express about the Electoral College and 3rd party/independent politics in America?
