Checks and Balances

October 30th, 2017

Canada’s Constitution

• Created in the British North America Act, 1867

• Given more autonomy by the Statute of Westminster, 1931

• Repatriated in the Constitution Act, 1982• Includes the Charter of Rights & Freedoms

US Constitution

• Supreme law of the United States

• Created 1787

• Originally contained 7 articles

• Has been amended 27 times

• First 10 amendments are collectively known as the Bill of Rights

ConstitutionA legal document that:

1. Outlines the basic rules for a government2. Assigns different functions to each branch of

government3. Allows each branch of government the right to check one

another’s actions in order to prevent concentration of power (checks and balances)

Checks & Balances:Case Studies

October 31st, 2017

Richard Nixon

37th President of the US

Republican

Only pres. To ever resign the office

The Watergate Hotel –Washington, DC

Role of the Media

Washington Post journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.

“I’m not a crook.” – November 1973

Presidential Pardon

“… A full and unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president.”

- President Gerald Ford

Checks & Balances Case StudiesWork with a partner, choose two of the following (one from section A and one from section B) and report on them. Carefully describe how checks & balances played a role.

Section A

• Votes of non-confidence in Canada’s House of Commons• How many have there been? Who did they affect? What happened with

Lester Pearson in 1968?

• Impeachment of the President• Which US Presidents have been impeached? Why has this never resulted in

them being removed from office? Why wasn’t Nixon impeached?

Section B

• Pearl Harbor & Gulf of Tonkin Incident

• Anita Hill & Clarence Thomas Controversy

Checks & Balances Case Studies

• To be completed today.

• A short write-up on each of your chosen topics.

• Carefully consider the role of checks and balances in each case study.

• Include works cited.

Today’s Class – November 2nd

1. Storybook on Canadian Elections due Monday!

2. Checks & Balances exercise?

3. Current Events Quiz

4. Questions from Monday (Textbook)

5. (second) Person of the Week

6. Government for Sale Assignment

Ideologies Text: Page 62 - 63

1. Read page 62 and make a list for each branch of government that states the specific powers that they have over other branches

2. Read page 63. What differences are described between Canadian & American Executive Branches?

3. What is the difference between Head of State and Head of Government?

4. Should the Head of State be the same person as the Head of Government? Give Reasons for your answer?

Person of the Week: Bertha Wilson

1923 - 2007

• First woman appointed to the Supreme court of Canada

• Her appointment highlighted two major concerns:

1. The Role of the Judiciary in promoting justice and social change

2. The issue of gender bias in Canada’s legal system

• Read the brief bio on page 69 and describe the relevance of each of the above issues

Government for Sale

1. Name of government

2. The branches – how many branches? Names branches and bodies (i.e. National Assembly)?

3. At least five checks and balances (at least one per branch of government).

4. Type and description of the electoral system.

5. Some type of visual display to show the structure of your government.

6. Names of at least 8 positions (Ministers, etc.) and how they are appointed.

7. Head of State must be clearly identified.

8. Separate elections for head of state?

9. Constitutional Issues. Declaration of Rights?

10. You must present it as a commodity for sale to a potential customer/country (pamphlet? Ad campaign?)