Ap Government / Chapter 1 Homework Questions/ Mr. Lipman

AP GOVERNMENT / CHAPTER 1 HOMEWORK QUESTIONS/ MR. LIPMAN

Please answer the following questions with at least one full paragraph for each answer, after reading chapter1, but do not exceed 4 typed pages. Type each question in BOLD order just above the answer you are providing.

1. Explain why America became more tolerant of different religions than European Countries during the period of 1492 to 1776. (Pages 4-11) Is America still tolerant?

2. Compare and contrast the theories of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. How did they impact the American system of Government. (Pages 7-11)

3. Explain the difference between governments of totalitarianism, oligarchy, and democracy.

4. Explain the basic functions of our government.

5. Discuss the impact of changing demographics on political culture in the United States from the Constitutional Convention to the present. (pages 15-20)

6. Explain why the political labels of conservative and liberal may sometimes be Misleading. (pages 20 to 25)

7. What are the characteristics of American democracy and why are they important to our Government’s foundation. (direct, indirect, etc)

8. What are the current and future demographic trends in the United States, and what are their implications? (Specifically racial and ethnic changes pages 15-20)

9. Do you believe the American “dream” of prosperity for all who work hard is still true? Was it ever really true? (See page 23)

10. It has been argued that America’s increasingly diverse ethnic population threatens the the future of the American system? Should new immigrants be required to give up their culture and assimilate into “American” society or should they seek to retain their cultural background and ethnic customs? (Use the information from the join the debate column-page 18 to understand the issue)

11. The presidential race is (at present) a two-person race. Identify each of the two main candidates and two of their main campaign issues. .