Forms and Systems of Government
“If Men were angels, no government would be necessary." - James Madison
"In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns." -Benjamin Franklin
"In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns." -Benjamin Franklin
|
Learning Goal:
Students will be able to compare different forms and systems of government. |
Benchmarks:
SS.7.C.3.1 Content Complexity: Level 2/Skills and Concepts Compare different forms of government (direct democracy, representative democracy, socialism, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, autocracy). SS.7.C.3.2 Content Complexity: Level 2/Skills and Concepts Compare parliamentary, federal, confederal, and unitary systems of government. |
Introduction Questions:
|
|
Task 1: Forms of Government Notes and Discussion
|
|
Use the prezi (to the left) to match up the terms in your study guide with the correct definition. At the end of the Prezi are a series of examples about different countries called "Identify that Government." Based on the examples, figure out which form(s) of government those countries have, or had in the past. 
| ||
Task 2: Forms of Government Practice
|
|
| ||||
Task 3: Systems of Government
You've already learned about different forms of government. The term SOVEREIGNTY means where the source of power in a government comes from. (the people, one person, a small group, etc...) A SYSTEM of Government explains how the power to rule is ORGANIZED/DIVIDED between different LEVELS of government. What is a LEVEL of government again?
REVIEW LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT:
What are some responsibilities and obligations you have at a local level? (city, county)
What are some responsibilities and obligations you have at the state level?
What are some responsibilities and obligations you have at the national/federal level? (the COUNTRY/U.S.A.)
REVIEW LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT:
What are some responsibilities and obligations you have at a local level? (city, county)
What are some responsibilities and obligations you have at the state level?
What are some responsibilities and obligations you have at the national/federal level? (the COUNTRY/U.S.A.)
Directions: Use the pictures below to figure out which definition best fits with the different SYSTEMS of government below.
A. A system of government where the people vote for representatives in a legislative branch and their representatives select their Prime Minister, or chief executive.
B. A system of government where all the power to rule is in ONE place at the top level/ a central/national/federal government.
C. A system of government where power is shared between local/state and national/federal/central levels of government.
D. A system of government where the majority of power is given to local/state governments and they are tied together by a very weak central/national/federal government.
KEY of Letters below:
Federal/National/Central Government=F/N/C
State/local governments=S
A. A system of government where the people vote for representatives in a legislative branch and their representatives select their Prime Minister, or chief executive.
B. A system of government where all the power to rule is in ONE place at the top level/ a central/national/federal government.
C. A system of government where power is shared between local/state and national/federal/central levels of government.
D. A system of government where the majority of power is given to local/state governments and they are tied together by a very weak central/national/federal government.
KEY of Letters below:
Federal/National/Central Government=F/N/C
State/local governments=S
|
|
|
|
Use the UCF chart to help PREVIEW our SYSTEM of government in the USA has changed over the years.
Now Practice...
For each scenario below:
Figure out which SYSTEM of government is being described and explain why IN YOUR STUDY GUIDE.
For each scenario below:
Figure out which SYSTEM of government is being described and explain why IN YOUR STUDY GUIDE.
- From 1861-1865, the United States had a Civil War. 11 Southern States seceded, or left, the Union (the National government that connects all the states). The 11 states argued they didn’t have enough power to make their own decisions anymore. Each of the 11 states agreed to come together to elect their own President, mainly to have a common form of currency (money) for trade and to work together for military purposes. However, MOST of the power to make everyday laws stayed with each of the 11 states themselves. What system of government does this most closely match up with and why?
- In The Hunger Games Trilogy, there are 13 districts with their own local governments. However, each government DOESN’T HAVE ANY REAL POWER. All of the decisions that affect the country of Panem are made by the Capitol that rules over the whole country. What system of government does this most closely match up with and why?
- In the United States, the National government makes laws in Washington D.C. that the whole country has to follow. However, each state in the U.S. makes its own laws as well. Many laws in New York are different than laws in Florida. People in New York have to follow the laws made in Washington D.C. and in New York, but not the laws in Florida. What system of government does this most closely match up with and why?
- In the United Kingdom, citizens don’t vote for a President in an Executive Branch. Instead, citizens vote for their representatives in a legislative branch who make laws. The political party that gets the most votes is able to appoint their leader, with the Queen’s approval, as the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has a similar function to that of the U.S. President. What system of government does this most closely match up with and why?
Task 4: A Peninsula of Two Worlds
|
Directions:
Read the attached article titled "North and South Korea," then follow the directions below:
Choose ONE of the following assessments: No matter which assessment you choose, you need to clearly identify the type of government in each country.
1) Write a minimum two paragraph response to the following prompt: How are the governments of North and South Korea different? Which country's government do you think is better? Use at least 3 pieces of evidence from the article to support your claim. 2) Create a political cartoon that portrays the differences between the government of North and South Korea. (your political cartoon should incorporate evidence from the article.) 3) Write a rap or poem that portrays the differences between the government of North and South Korea. (your rap or poem should incorporate evidence from the article.) 4) Create a T-chart that that portrays the differences between the government of North and South Korea. (your t-chart should have at least 3 pieces of evidence for each side, North and South Korea.) |
If you want to learn more about the history of the Korean Conflict, feel free to watch the video below when finished reading your assigned article.
| ||
Task 5: Make Your Own Government!
“A rich uncle you never knew you had, leaves you a tropical island paradise in his will. Many people want to move to this beautiful island, but you have to decide how you want to run your new government."
YOUR TASK IS BELOW:
YOUR TASK IS BELOW:
- Describe what type, or types, of government you would want to have on your island. (you can make up your own unique hybrid government by borrowing from multiple types)
- Explain why you think this type of government would work best for your island.
- What could go wrong with this type of government?
- If your government fails, what type of government would you have as a backup plan?
Task 6: Governments Around the World
CLICK HERE to learn about the different forms of government found in countries around the world. Once you start reading through the list of countries, please follow the directions below:
- Find at least three countries that have the same government (or very similar government) as the United States. (Hint: Remember that we have a Republic, or Representative Democracy). Write down the names of those countries. Then, click on the country to figure out which region, or part of the world, the country is located in.
- Try to find 1-2 examples of the following types of government: Communism, Theocracy (remember this means rule by RELIGION and it might only list the ACTUAL religion and not say "theocracy"), Monarchy, and ONE other of your choice. Also write down the names of those countries AND their regions.
- What type(s) of government are MOST common around the world? Why do you think this is?
- What types(s) of government are LEAST common around the world? Why do you think this is?
Task 7: Weighing in on a Dictatorship
Then answer the following questions:
1. What were some positive things about having a dictator in Uzbekistan? 2. What were some negative things about having a dictator in Uzbekistan? 3. What is your opinion on dictatorships? Would you ever want to live in one? |
| ||||
First Quarter REVIEW and 2nd Quarter PREVIEW
Directions:
As you've noticed so far this year, the room is covered with posters (primary and secondary sources) that relate to different parts of our Civics curriculum.
You'll work with a partner and Pick 10 posters with sticky notes on them of your choice around the room. For each poster, complete the following steps:
1. Check behind the poster (most will be lifted up from the bottom) and decode the clue to find a key term.
2. Use the "1st and 2nd Quarter LEARNING GOALS" document at your table (also attached below) and identify which LEARNING GOAL throughout the 1st and 2nd quarter that BEST matches with the poster and the CLUES behind the poster you decoded. (some will have multiple options you can choose from) You are not only reviewing learning goals from the 1st quarter, but previewing learning goals from the 2nd quarter.
As you've noticed so far this year, the room is covered with posters (primary and secondary sources) that relate to different parts of our Civics curriculum.
You'll work with a partner and Pick 10 posters with sticky notes on them of your choice around the room. For each poster, complete the following steps:
1. Check behind the poster (most will be lifted up from the bottom) and decode the clue to find a key term.
2. Use the "1st and 2nd Quarter LEARNING GOALS" document at your table (also attached below) and identify which LEARNING GOAL throughout the 1st and 2nd quarter that BEST matches with the poster and the CLUES behind the poster you decoded. (some will have multiple options you can choose from) You are not only reviewing learning goals from the 1st quarter, but previewing learning goals from the 2nd quarter.
|
| ||||
3. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP...Write down an explanation as to WHY the learning goal you picked matches with the poster and CLUES behind the poster you decoded. USE EVIDENCE!!
WHEN FINISHED...
1) COMPLETE ANY MAKEUP WORK FOUND UNDER “ASSIGNMENTS” ON ECAMPUS THAT HAVE A ZERO OR NO SCORE.
2) If no makeup work, pick from the following games to REVIEW from this quarter’s benchmarks with a partner on a chromebook by going to iCivics.org and clicking on “PLAY”
·Immigration Nation
·Sortify: U.S. Citizenship
·Responsibility Launcher
·Win the White House
·News Feed Defenders
·Cast Your Vote
·Activate
WRITE A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU LEARNED WHILE PLAYING THE GAMES AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO OUR UNITS OF STUDY/LEARNING GOALS.
1) COMPLETE ANY MAKEUP WORK FOUND UNDER “ASSIGNMENTS” ON ECAMPUS THAT HAVE A ZERO OR NO SCORE.
2) If no makeup work, pick from the following games to REVIEW from this quarter’s benchmarks with a partner on a chromebook by going to iCivics.org and clicking on “PLAY”
·Immigration Nation
·Sortify: U.S. Citizenship
·Responsibility Launcher
·Win the White House
·News Feed Defenders
·Cast Your Vote
·Activate
WRITE A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU LEARNED WHILE PLAYING THE GAMES AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO OUR UNITS OF STUDY/LEARNING GOALS.
