Homework 4.3 (Assigned 4/19)

A.  Practice FRQ

FRQ 4 “The prosecution of (impeachments), for this reason, will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, and to divide it into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused. In many cases it will connect itself with the pre-existing factions, and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other; and in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.”

                                                            –Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 65

1. The House of Representatives has twice impeached sitting presidents, both of whom avoided removal from office by the Senate.

1. Define impeachment and removal, and describe the process of impeachment and removal as listed in the Constitution.
2. Assess the accuracy of Hamilton’s observations as applied to both cases of presidential impeachment.
3. Identify ONE strength and ONE weakness of checks and balances in dealing with Hamilton’s concerns.