The President's Evolution

Introduction

Hello class, 

George Washington here. Today I will taking you on a WebQuest journey. As we surf the web, we will work together to discover the origins and evolution of the Executive Branch. As you all know, I was the first President but there are many things that may surprise you about my personal beliefs and feelings towards the creation of the Executive Branch, and the changes being made to a new America in the late 1700s. 

As we go through this process together, you will learn a little more about me and my fellow founding fathers. (Did you know that we all started as BFFs and by the end of our political careers we were barely even talking?! Me and TJeff aren't even friends on facebook anymore.) You will also learn that some of the changes weren't as #Flawless as you may have thought. The framers of the constitution left some unclear language to allow the next generations of Presidents to make their own choices, and we will decide together if that was a good plan or not. 

Here we go! Click the "Task" tab when you're ready to proceed.

Task

INSTRUCTIONS:

Working alone, you will complete the WebQuest by following the steps in the "Process" tab. You will write down your answers on a blank piece of lined paper. that will be turned in at the end of class. 

The process page will give you instructions on which website to visit and what questions you should answer. There is also a reading that the teacher has printed out for you and will pass out as you begin this assignment. 

Tips: 

- Use"Ctrl+C" and "Ctrl+F" on the keyboard to copy the quote you are looking for, and find it on the website link you're given. This will help you get straight to the part of the reading you should be focused on. 

- Read slowly and carefully. There are only 3 readings and 1 video, and the questions will ask you to think deeply about the response.

- Don't rush! Focus on answering questions as correctly as possible! 

- The paper you turn in will be separated into different "Parts", label each part 1,2,3...etc as you approach it and label the questions a,b,c,d... etc. Restart the lettering for each part. ex: Part 1: a,b,c and Part 2: a,b,c. continue this pattern for each section.  

- Don't get lost like George!! If you have questions, raise your hand!

Click the "Process" tab when you are ready to continue. 

Process

>>> Part 1: Read the instructions before you open the link! Use the following website to answer the questions!

http://www.historytoday.com/frank-prochaska/american-monarchy

1. Click the above link to dive into the first reading. 

2. Use "Ctrl+F" to locate the following quote, and read the whole paragraph it is in as well as the following paragraph. 

“Parliament, subject to party politics, had little symbolic importance in American political rituals, whereas, in the words of Brendan McConville (2006), the King was ‘the empire’s living embodiment’.”

3. This paragraph uses Benjamin Franklin’s personal opinions about the George III and British parliament to explain what a majority of Colonial Americans were feeling. Read this paragraph and the next one to answer the following questions.

  1. _____________ gave the colonists a motivation to reject the authority of Parliament.

  2. TRUE/FALSE: Parliament had little symbolic importance in America? (write the full word on your paper)

  3. The passages you read express the generalized opinion of the Colonial Americans, write something that surprised you about their opinions. 

  4. Tightening of ______ ______ and increased presence of the British Army made Colonists view the King as the head of a ______ ______. 

  5. Were the colonists more upset by the King’s rule or by Parliament’s increasing power? Explain. 

  6. Read the following quote from the reading and answer questions f/g:True / False, Benjamin Franklin is suggesting that people are naturally drawn to Monarchical rule?

  7. Do you agree with his claim? Why or Why not?

“It will be said that we do not propose to establish kings. I know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind to Kingly Government. It sometimes relieves them from Aristocratic domination. They had rather have one tyrant than five hundred. It gives more of the appearance of equality among Citizens, and that they like.” - Benjamin Franklin while observing the constitutional convention.

>>> Part 2: Read the printed readings and answer the following questions. 

1. Start at the Movers and Shakers section, and read through the end of the printed out pages. (3 total)

2. Answer the questions!

  1. What was Washington's original career?
  2. List 4 words that describe Washington and his political voice.
  3. Reflect: In 5 sentences; how can you see the presidents mentioned in this reading relating to the information Mr. P mentioned in class about Presidential personalities. 

HELP FROM GEORGE! 

***This selection is a good example of how us Presidents are sometimes seen and voted for as people instead of their political choices. Read carefully and try to relate what Mr. Peirano talked about in class to this reading. Think about how Presidents are personified, and judged based on character!

>>> Part 3: Read the instructions before you open the link! Use the following website to answer the questions!

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/01/the-founders-great-mistake/307210/

1. Click the above link to jump into the third reading. 

2. Use "Ctrl+F" to locate the following quote, and read the whole paragraph it is in as well as the following paragraph. 

“Article II, Section 2, the presidential equivalent, is about half as long. The powers assigned to the president alone are few”

3. Read this paragraph as well as the next 3 to answer the following questions. 

  1. According to this article, what powers are written into the constitution for the president?
  2. What flaw mentioned in the next two paragraphs contributed to the unique power of the current presidency?
  3. In the next paragraphs, Alexander Hamilton describes his idea of the presidency on June 18, 1787. What were the 4 responsibilities he felt the President should have?
  4. Hamilton called the President an _____________ Monarch. 

>>> Part 4: Watch the first 3 minutes of the following video and answer the questions. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6X28byZZbI

1. Listen carefully to the video and what the guy is saying about the President's power. 

2. Turn on subtitles by pressing the CC button in the bottom right hand corner if you are struggling to hear what he is saying. 

3. Answer the questions. 

  1. What is the first hindrance on power that he talks about? (HINT: it has to do with congress)
  2. Checks and Balances creates a complicated way to pass new legislation that needs __________ to accomplish anything in government. 
  3. Reflect: in 1-2 paragraphs answer the question, How does the executive branch formed by the framers compare to the executive branch of today? Why do you think it has changed?

You have completed the WebQuest!!!

Turn in your completed paper to Ms. Chadwell