Glencoe Social Studies U.S. Government: Democracy in Action

Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
Unit 7
Unit 8
Unit 9

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

Chapter 11
Chapter 12

Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15

Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19

Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22

Chapter 23
Chapter 24

Chapter 25
Chapter 26

• Chapter Overview

• Student Web Activities

• Self-Check Quizzes

• Interactive Tutor

• Chapter Overview

• Student Web Activities

• Student Web Activities

• Student Web Activities

• Self-Check Quizzes

• Interactive Tutor

U.S. Government: Democracy in Action 2002

Glencoe Social Studies U.S. Government: Democracy in Action

Chapter 8: The Presidency
"The Vice Presidency"

Introduction
In this chapter you learned about the office of the president or vice president, the Electoral College, the cabinet, and the various components of the Executive Office of the President. One person who historically has been overlooked and unappreciated is the vice president of the United States. In this activity, you will take a closer look at the roles and responsibilities of the vice president and read about notable vice presidents of the past.

Destination Title: The Vice Presidency

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips.

Directions
Start at vicepresidents.com, a Web site dedicated to the vice presidency.

Click on the left image, labeled Facts, which will take you to a page about the vice presidency. Click on each of the six topics on this page and read the material presented.
Use the "back" arrow to return to the main screen, and click on the second image, labeled Biographies, to explore individual vice presidents.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1. Describe how the process of selecting the vice president was conducted prior to the passage of the Twelfth Amendment.

2. What are the two roles of the vice president as stated by the Constitution?

3. Which amendment ensures a legal and constitutional succession from vice president to president?

4. From the main screen, click on the third link on the left column to test your knowledge of vice presidential trivia. Take the 40-question quiz. How many did you get correct?

5. On a separate piece of paper, write a poem about one of the vice presidents you have read about or about the office of the vice president in general. You may use a formal poetic style, such as haiku or limerick, or a free verse style if you prefer.