Final answer:
Two examples of when the American government broke bad are the Watergate scandal and Prohibition, which manifested in abuse of power and unintended negative societal impacts respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for two examples that show the American government breaking bad. The correct answer is Watergate scandal and Prohibition, which corresponds to option a). These events are illustrative of times when the U.S. government's actions have been controversial or have directly contravened the laws and principles of governance. The Watergate scandal, occurring in the 1970s, was a significant political scandal involving the Nixon administration attempting to wiretap phones of the opposing party, seen as an egregious abuse of power. Prohibition, enacted through the 18th Amendment and implemented by the Volstead Act, created a nationwide ban on alcohol that led to unintended adverse effects, including the rise of organized crime.