HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, TEST 1 (2026 class)

Answer any TWO of the following four questions, and answer each part of the questions. Be sure to use complete sentences, and explain your answer. Each question counts equally, so budget your time. This is an In-Class Exam.

1) (Ideology) What are the 7 major components of the conservative philosophy, and explain why each is important to conservatives and give examples? What are the 6 major components of the liberal philosophy, and explain why each is important to liberals and give examples? What is your own political philosophy, and explain and defend your answer (and feel free to borrow from each ideology)?

2) (Checks and Balances) What are the 7 ways that each branch of the federal government can check the powers of other branches (1 way is House and Senate checking each other), and explain how each works? Make sure that you mention the vote margins that are required, when necessary. Give some examples. What 4 Presidents have been subjected to the impeachment process, and what was the outcome in each of those cases?

3) (Selection Methods) Treating each of the 4 federal institutions separately (House, Senate, President, Supreme Court), how were members of each of these institutions originally selected in the original unamended constitution, and why? What was the term of office (in years) for each institution, and why? What three changes occurred in the selection methods (or term limits) and why did each occur?

4) (4^th thru 6^th Party Systems) How did the two parties differ during the 4^th party system, and what was the majority party and why? What political changes occurred during the Progressive Era, and explain? How did the two parties differ during the 5^th party system (policies, demographic groups), what was the majority party, and why? How competitive are the two parties today, and why has one party lost voter support over the past sixty years, and be specific?