FRQ #1 Unit 4

1a) Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.

Congressional reapportionment is the process of reallocating the number of representatives of each state in the House of Representatives. In other words, it is the re-division of the number of the seats of the House amongst the 50 states. This process is important to states because they can gain or lose seats in the House and if the state already has a low amount of seats, they don't want to lose anymore than they already have.

1b) Define congressional redistricting.

Congressional redistricting is the redrawing of congressional district lines as a result of possible population changes.

2c) Identify one power unique to the Senate and explain why the framers gave the Senate that power.

One power that is unique to the Senate is to ratify treaties. The farmers gave the Senate this power because it reflects the state interests.

2b) Identify one power unique to the House of Representatives and explain why the framers gave the House that power.

One power unique that is unique to the House of Representatives is impeachment. The framers gave the House this power because they are closer to the people since the number of representatives are based upon the population of each state.

2a) Discuss two reasons why the framers created a bicameral legislature.

The framers created a bicameral legislative because of the Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention and to slow the process. At the time of having one legislature, smaller states and larger states began to have different opinions. Smaller states wanted equal representation in every state that would not be overruled by the majority while larger state wanted representation corresponding to their population for more power. The bicameral legislation solved this dispute by the House of Representatives being based upon state's population and the Senate having equal representation of each state having two senators. The two legislative bodies was also created to slow the process of the legislature. By doing this, it ensured them that all laws went through adequate deliberations before the law was passed. This is important because we don't need unnecessary laws being passed. (Checks and Balances)

1c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.

Two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during restricting are to protect incumbents and enhance political party strength. Gerrymander is manipulating district boundaries to establish an advantage for a party or group. Politicians protect incumbents against others who are running to make sure that they get reelected. This can be done by making every district packed which would increase the chance of competitive elections. As a result, people end up agreeing to reelect an individual. Politicians may also increase the strength of a political party to lessen the strength of the other parties, resulting in the stronger political party being in control the decisions in redistricting.

1d) Describe two limits that the United States Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.

Two limits that the United States Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting are the districts must be equally populated and district lines cannot be solely based upon race. By not having these two limits, the redistricting would not be fair to others. Each district must have around the same population as the other districts as well as have a diversity of race so that one district may not have more of a voice at the polls than the others.`