Question

close reading
the role of congress in a democracy

1. vocabulary: determine meaning \the history of the present king of britain,\ wrote thomas jefferson in the declaration of independence, \is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.\

what do you think the word usurpations means? what impact did this view of king george iii’s rule have on the form of government that emerged from the declaration of independence? use evidence from the text to support your answer.

1. determine author’s point of view use this concept web to take notes on the roles and voting options of members of congress.

congress: the job

1. support a point of view with evidence use the text to write an opinion about the extent to which the composition of congress should reflect that of the general population.

Explanation:

1. For the vocabulary question:

• "Usurpations" refers to the act of seizing or taking power, rights, or property wrongfully or by force. The text links it to King George III's goal of "absolute tyranny," so it describes his unauthorized seizure of powers over the colonies. This view led to the U.S. government having a system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and limited government, designed to prevent the concentrated, tyrannical power the colonists accused the king of wielding.

1. For the concept web:

• Roles: Draft and pass legislation, represent constituents, conduct oversight of the executive branch, approve federal appointments, declare war, and manage federal budgets.
• Voting options: Vote yes (in favor), vote no (against), abstain from voting, or vote present (a non-committal vote that does not count for or against a measure).

1. For the point of view question:

• Congress should closely reflect the general population. A representative body that mirrors the demographic, social, and economic diversity of the U.S. can better understand and address the needs of all constituents. For example, a Congress with diverse gender, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds is more likely to create policies that account for the experiences of marginalized groups, ensuring fairer governance that aligns with democratic principles of representation.

Answer:

1. "Usurpations" means wrongful seizures of power/rights. This view led to the U.S. government adopting limited power, checks and balances, and separation of powers to avoid the tyranny attributed to King George III, as referenced in the Declaration's critique of his absolute rule ambitions.

2.

• Roles: Draft legislation, represent constituents, oversight, approve appointments, declare war, budget management
• Voting options: Vote yes, vote no, abstain, vote present

1. Congress should strongly reflect the general population. Demographic, social, and economic diversity in Congress ensures policies address the full range of constituent needs, upholding democratic representation by centering the experiences of all groups within the U.S.