People and Government

What are the basic forms of government and why are they necessary?

Agenda

• Motto• Standards• Essential Question for this Unit

• Today’s Objective• Bellringer: Review Vocabulary Page 6• Before Strategy: Anticipation Guide (The Origins of

Government)

• During Strategies: Column Notes (The Origins of Government– Teacher Questioning

– Graphic Organizer: The Origins of Government

– Reading Checks

• After Strategy: Exit Slip (Two Things I Learned Today

ALCOS Objectives

• 12G.1: Explain historical and philosophical origins that shape the government of the United States including the Magana Carta, the Petition of Rights, the English Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, The Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the influence of Thomas Hobbs, John Lock, Baron Charles De Montesquieu, John Jacques Rousseau, and the Great Awakening.

• CCRS: R1.11

Essential Questions

• What are the ideas and key principles that characterize American Democracy?

• In a Democracy, explain how the rule of law influence behavior of citizens, establishes procedures for making policies, and limits the power of government.

Lesson: The Purposes of Government

• Objectives: – Examine the theories that explain the

origins of government– Examine the four main purposes for

government

– Today’s Key Terms: Government: p 7– Power p7, policy p 7 DDI

Four Main Purposes of Gov

• Introduction– Around the world people live under a

variety of governments. While most of us realize that government is necessary, many have questions about what form of government serves best? Where did government originate, etc?

Theories about the origins of government

• Evolutionary TheoryEvolutionary theory suggest that states formed gradually over time, growing from family and extended kinship groups. In primitive times, the head of the family was the person in authority

• Force TheoryThe force theory says that government emerged when all the people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group

• Divine Right Theory A God or Gods have chosen certain people to rule by

divine right.^1

• Social Contact Theory

– Thomas Hobbs of England was one of the first to theorize on the social contract

– He believed that the origins of the state were in a social contract

– By contract, people surrendered to the state the power needed to maintain order

– The state , in turn, agreed to protect its citizens

– John Lock expanded on the social contract theory. His writings would influence Thomas Jefferson who wrote the declaration of Independence

Take 15 minutes to complete the graphic organizer below

Theory of Origins of

Government

Summary: Theories of Origins of the State

TheoriesOn

OriginsOf

Government

EvolutionaryTheory

Social ContractTheory

People areBrought under

The controlOf one person

Or ruler

Force TheoryDivine RightsTheory

The Gods Chose the

Ruler

GovernmentEvolvedFrom theFamily

People are bornWith life, libertyAnd property

People willing contract

To give powerTo a governing

authority

Lesson: The Four Main Purposes of Government

• Objective: Students will be able to explain the the four main purposes of government

• Introduction

– Government is much closer than the officials working in Washington D. C., or the state capitol in Montgomery.

– The roads on which we drive are maintained by state and local governments

– Think about traffic laws, sales taxes, and the call to arms.

– Lets examine the main purposes of government

The Purposes of Government

• The four main purposes of government

– Maintain social order

– Provide public services

– To provide for national security and a common defense

– To provide for and control the economic system^1

• Maintain Social Order– According to the social contract theory by John Lock

and Thomas Hobbs, people need government to maintain social order because they have not discovered a way to live in groups without conflicts. ^1

• Providing Public Services– Provide essential services that make community life

possible and promote the general welfare.• Such as building sewer systems• Government makes and enforces laws that

promote public health and safety– Inspectors check meat and produce to prevent

the sale of spoiled and diseased ridden food

• Providing National Security– Protecting the people against attack by other

states or terrorists– Governments handles normal relations with

other countries. For example Ambassadors

• Making Economic Decisions– Provide citizens with economic opportunities

and resources– Governments make decision that distribute

benefits and public services. For example, payments to farmers who raise certain crops, give tax advantages to businesses

– Pass laws that same the environment and economy of the nation

Summary

• Reading checks 7 and12 ( on your paper)

Principles of Government

• Objectives 1. Identify origins and functions of government

– 2. Analyze purposes, organizations,

functions, and principles of the

Constitution of the United States

and the Bill of Rights

3. The United States divides powers

between national and state

governments

Lesson: Unitary and Federal Governments

• Objective: Compare a unitary government with a Federal Government System

• Introduction– ^1The relationship between a nation’s national

government and its smaller government divisions can be described as either unitary or federal

• Unitary System

– A unitary government gives all key powers to the national or central government. The central government has the power to create state, provincial, or local governments and give them limited sovereignty.

– Examples of a Unitary system of government can be found in Great Britain, Italy, and France

• Federal System– A federal system of government divides

the powers of government between national government and state or provincial governments.

– Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas

• An example of a Federal System of government is the United States, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, India And Australia

Discussion Question: What are the major advantages of a federal system of government?Turn to your partner and discuss (2 min)

• A concentration of power• Participation at more levels of

government.

Summary

By comparison, a unitary system of government gives all key powers to the national or central government

Whereas, a federal system of government divides the powers of government between the national government and the provincial governments

Lesson: The Main Purposes of a Constitution

• Objective: Identify the main purposes of a constitution

• Introduction: – Let’s define constitution

• a constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government. It is a plan for the organizing and operating the government^1

Main Purposes of A Constitution

– It establishes the basic structure of government and defines the government's powers

– It sets out ideals that the people bound by the constitution believe and share

– It provides the supreme law for the country by providing the rules that shape the actions of government and politics, much as the rules of basketball define the action in a basketball game.

A Constitution sets out ideas

• Using A Statement of Goals– Most constitutions contain a statement that sets

forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government.

– This statement is called the preamble

– Lets look at the copy of the preamble to the United States Constitution

A Constitution Provides Basic Structure

• The main body of a constitution sets out the plan for government. In a federal system, the constitution also describes the relationship between the national government and the statements.

• It describes the procedure for amending, or changing the constitution.

• The main body is divided into parts called articles and sections

• The United States Constitution has 7 articles containing a total of 21 sections

Highest Law

• Constitutions provide the supreme law for states.

• It draws its authority from the people or from a special assembly chosen by the people to created the constitution

• Constitutional law involves the interpretation and application of the constitution

• In the United States the Supreme Court or the Judicial Branch of Government determines the constitutionality of an issue or law

Constitutions are Incomplete Guides

• While a country may have a constitution it may be incomplete for two reasons– First, no written constitution by itself can possibly spell out

all the laws, customs, and ideas.

• For example, until the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a president could serve as many terms as desired.

– The Twenty- second Amendment was passed to limit the president to two terms or eight years.

Second, a constitution does not always reflect the actual practice of government in a country.

For example, the People’s Republic of China does not observe basic rights, freedoms, and duties of citizens.

Summary

• A constitution is a plan for government that provides the rules for government

• It has several major purposes

– It establishes the basic structure of government and defines the government's powers

– It sets out ideals that the people bound by the constitution believe and share

– It provides the supreme law for the country by providing the rules that shape the actions of government and politics, much as the rules of basketball define the action in a basketball game.

• Checking for Understanding. Complete the graphic below. Ten minutes

Purposes For A

Constitution

Can you think of another?

• Checking for Understanding. Complete the graphic below

Purposes For A

Constitution

To maintain orderProvides theSupreme law

It sets out ideals

Establishes the basic

structure

Lesson 2

•

Agenda• Motto• Standards• Essential Question for this Unit

• Today’s Objective– Students will be ale to explain different forms of governments and

how they are categorized based on who exercises authority

• Bellringer: DDI Vocabulary Page 14• Before Strategy: Reading Checks pages 7, 8 and 12• During Strategies: Column Notes Types of

Government– Teacher Questioning

– Graphic Organizer: The Origins of Government

– Reading Checks 18 and 19

• After Strategy: Exit Slip (Two Things I Learned Today

Types of Government

• Objectives: Examine the major types of Governments

• Identify the main characteristics of a democracy

• Introduction

– It is said that the United States has established a representative democracy that serves as a model for government and inspiration around the world.

– First lets look at the Major Types of Governments

• Governments are classified by answering the key question who governs the state?

Major Types of Governments

• All governments belong to one of three major groups

– Autocracy

– Oligarchy

– Theocracy see p 15

– Democracy• Autocracy – any system of government in which

the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual. ^1– It is the oldest and one of the most common forms of

government– Autocracy has several forms: total dictatorship and

Monarchy

Forms of Autocracy

• Totalitarian dictatorship• The ideas of a single leader is glorified• The government seeks to control aspects of social and

economic life• This type of government is not responsible to the people, and

the people lack the power to limit their rulers. Example Adolf Hitler’s government in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945 that led to WWII

• Absolute Monarchy – A king, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme powers of

government– Monarchs usually inherit their position– Absolute monarchs have complete an unlimited power to rule their

people• Example: Saudi Arabia

– In a constitutional monarch, the monarch shares governmental powers with elected legislatures

– In some countries, the monarch serve mainly as the ceremonial leaders of their governments

• Examples are Great Britain, Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands.

Oligarchy

• Any system of government in which a small group holds power

• The groups power is derived from wealth, military power, social position, religion, or a combination thereof.

• China is an example of an Oligarchy• Although an Oligarchy may hold elections, they

may control the outcome or the candidates who run as well as the persons elected to the legislatures.

Theocracy

• Rulers claim to represent and be directed by a set of religious ideas.

• Laws are rooted in particular religion or religious doctrine

• Government power is unlimited

– An example is Iran

Democracy

• A democracy is any system of government in which rule is by the people

• The constitution of the U. S. is named a democracy because it is in the hands not of the few, but of the many.

• The key idea of democracy is that the people hold sovereign power

Democracy

• Democracies may take one of two forms:– Direct democracy – the people govern themselves by voting

on issues individually as citizens• This type of democracy is non existent today

– Representative Democracy – the people elect representatives and give them the responsibility and power to make laws and conduct government.

– Assemblies of the people are called councils, legislatures, congress, or parliament

– A democracy can be referred to as a republic. At any rate, the voters are the source of government authority

Summary

• There are three major types of governments– Autocracy – any system of government in which

the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual

– Oligarchy- Any system of government in which a small group holds power

– Theocracy- ruled by a set of religious ideas

– And Democracy - A democracy is any system of government in which rule is by the people

Reinforcing Learning Activity

Characteristics of a Unitary and Federal System of Government: Complete the

Graphic

Unitary _______________________________

_______________________________

Federal System ________________________ _______________________________

Check for Understanding Activity: Complete the

activity below. 15 Minutes

Types of Governments Characteristics of each type

Reteach

• There are three major types of governments– Autocracy – any system of government in which

the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual

– Oligarchy- Any system of government in which a small group holds power

– And Democracy - A democracy is any system of government in which rule is by the people

Lesson: Characteristics of Democracy

• Objective: Identify the main characteristic of a democracy

• Individual Liberty– The government works to promote the kind of equality in

which all people have an equal opportunity to develop their talents to the fullest extent possible

• Majority Rule– Requires that government decisions be based on

majority rule• This is done by voters in a free election through a

representative democracy which means that laws enacted in the legislature represent the will of the majority of lawmakers

• Turn to page 21 and lets read about Majority rule with minority rights

Fee Elections

• Free ElectionsDemocracy governments receive their legitimacy by the

consent of the governed

Free elections give people the chance to choose these leaders

Everyone vote carries the same weight

I.E. ONE PERSON ONE VOTE

ALL CANDIDATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS freely giving voters access to competing ideas

Citizens are free to help candidates to support issues

Legal requirements for voting are kept to a minimum

Lesson: The Articles of Confederation

• Objective: Explain the achievements and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• Introduction:• During the colonial period, 1607-1733, many

colonies use the Mayflower Compact as the plan for self-government

• 1636 Massachusetts Bay adopted the Great Fundamentals, the first basic system of laws in the English colonies

• 1639, the Puritans who settled Connecticut drew up America’s first formal constitution, called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut^

Introduction continued

• September 1714, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia an agreed o impose an embargo on trade with Britain

• April 1775, the Revolutionary War began• April 1775,the Second Continental Congress

would meet and by July of 1776, it declared independence from Britain

• By 1777, a committee appointed by the Congress presented a plan called the Articles of Confederation– It was to be a league of friendship among the 13 states

The Achievements of the Confederation

• Even before independence was declared, Patriot leaders a the Continental Congress realized that the colonies needed to be united under some type of central government

• In November 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union- a plan for a loose union of the states under the authority of the congress

The Articles of Confederation

• The Articles of Confederation established a very weak central government ^

• Once a year, each state would select a delegation to send to the capital city

– This group is called the Confederation Congress, and it was the entire government

– There was no legislative and judicial branches

The Confederation Congress

• Had the right to Declare war– Raise and maintain an army and navy– Sign treaties– Make war and peace– Send and receive ambassadors– Fix standards of weights and measures– Regulate Indian affairs– Establish post offices– Decide certain disputes among states

• The Confederation Congress was not given the power to– Impose taxes– Regulate trade

Under the Articles, there was success in trade

• The Confederation Congress tried to promote trade with other nations ^

• The Congress negotiated several trade treaties with other countries, including Holland, Prussia, and Sweden

• A previous agreement permitted American merchants to sell goods to French colonies in the Caribbean

Problems with the Confederation

• Problems with Trade ^

– British merchants flooded the U. S. with inexpensive British goods, driving many American artisans out of business

– Americans fought back by restricting British imports

• The states did not impose the same duties• The British would then land their goods at

the states that had the lowest taxes and fewest restrictions

Why was this a problem?

• The Confederation Congress was not allowed to regulate commerce causing the states to began setting up customs posts on their borders to prevent the British from exploiting the different trade laws

• They also levied taxes on each other’s goods to raise revenue

Problems with Diplomacy

• ^ The Congress had no power to compel the states to pay British Lenders

• Many States restricted British ability to collect the debts

• ^ The Congress could not compel the states to return Loyalist property confiscated during the Revolutionary War

Britain Reacts

• The British refused to evacuate American soil as specified in the treaty

• They continued to occupy a string of frontier posts south of the Great Lakes inside American territory ^

Problems with Spain

• A dispute involving the border between Spanish territory and the state of Georgia

– The Spanish stopped Americans from depositing their goods on Spanish territory at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

– This closed the river to American farmers who used it to ship their goods to market