If you wish to download these directions, then go to:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Af4nC4JZDtctZGdkNGI4OTNfNDFkbnRreDdjcg&hl=en
Film Analysis: Key Constitutional ConceptsWe will be analyzing how the U.S. Constitution is used to address conflict in society by focusing on a historical example. This historical example will center on how President Truman abused or didn't abuse the war powers after World War II to end a strike (how relevant!...does the president/mayor have the power to end a strike?,). In order to complete this lesson you will need to access a video on-line and complete the questions below in your binder. If this strike continues throughout the week, I will be asking you to send your work to me instead of waiting for me to check it when you return to school.
On-line Video: Annenberg Classroon
- go to http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/
- select "Videos" from the menu on the left. When prompted to sign in, please become a member of this site, its free!
- scroll down and under the Sunnyland Classroom items is a blue link to a video called "Key Constitutional Concepts". Select that video and allow it to load on your computer (give it about 20-30 minutes to load). You want to let the entire video load because you will not be watching the entire program. There are 3 segments on this video and you are only going to watch the third segment. Go to 41 minutes, 50 seconds for our segment.
Questions to answer as you watch the video: (all questions can be answered by the video except when specified)
Summary before you begin watching: World War II is over and Vice President Truman becomes president after President Roosevelt dies. President Truman thrusts the country into another conflict in Korea in which Americans are helping the southern Koreans fight the northern Koreans. To help fight the war, President Truman needs to step in and stop a strike between the steel mill and its workers so the government can direct them to build weapons for the war. Eventually, the government takes over the mills so that production can continue. This video reviews the battle between the three branches of government and certain citizens (steel mill owners and workers) on how the separation of powers (make laws, enforce laws, and review laws) and the system of checks and balances are used to address this conflict within society.
Does President Truman (executive branch) have the constitutional power to take over a private company?- What are checks and balances? Visit http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/checks_balances.htm to see if you completed the earlier assigned checks and balances worksheet.
- How is the separation of powers and checks and balances similar to the game "Rock, Paper, Scissors"? Play with someone. Which hand gesture is stronger? Can each hand gesture be stopped by another hand gesture?
- Why is the Korean War referred to technically as a conflict and not a war?
- Why does President Truman take over the steel mills? How does he justify this executive action?
- How did the Taft-Harly bill pass if the president vetoed it?
- What role does the Taft-Hartly bill have in this conflict between Truman and the steel mills?
- The owners of the steel mills sought an injunction on Truman's takeover. What is an injunction? Which branch can issue an injunction?
- What did Sawyer (acting on behalf of the president) do in reaction to the injunction?
- After hearing the case, who did the Supreme Court side with?
- What 3 categories did the the Supreme Court establish, under Justice Jackson's written opinion, to determine if a Presidential action was constitutional?
FINAL EXAMINATION REVIEW SHEETExam will be administered on November 16th. This grade will count towards the 2nd marking period.
Below is the link to the review sheet.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Af4nC4JZDtctZGdkNGI4OTNfNDRnODN2ZnpocA&hl=en
