Branches of Govt Poster Tour

HSA Review 1

Unit One: Foundations of Government

SELECTED RESPONSE

Directions: Select the response that best completes the question.  Start by crossing out the possible response you know to be wrong.  Then circle the response you believe to be correct. (5 minutes.)

1. Which of these is most often encouraged by government in a command economy?
1. National production goals
2. Inherited occupational roles
3. Private ownership of property
4. Competition between businesses

2. Which of these is most associated with an authoritarian government?

f.        The legislative process is slow

g.        Freedom of expression is valued

h.       Government leaders have absolute power

j.         Elections for government offices are conducted fairly

3. Which of these types of government allows citizens to have the greatest amount of political influence

1. Dictatorship
2. Direct democracy
3. Absolute monarchy
4. Oligarchy

4.  In 1847 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto, which predicted the fall of capitalism.  Read the excerpt below

“The modern working-class developed a class of laborers who live only so long as they find work, and who find work only so long as their labor increases capital.”

~from the Communist Manifesto

 According to the excerpt above, Marx and Engels believed that capitalism

f.        Restricted the economic freedom of employers

g.        Discouraged competition among business

h.       Failed to ensure the quality of goods produced

f.       Failed to protect the basic rights of workers

SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

 Directions: Use your resources to complete the chart. (8 minutes)

Systems	Power resides where?
Unitary
Federal
Confederate

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

Directions: Work with a partner to complete the following chart. (15 minutes)

Form of government	Definition	Protect Freedoms: Yes/No
Autocracy/Authoritarian
Democracy (Direct and Representative/Indirect)
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Dictatorship

ECONOMIC SYSTEMS

 

Directions: Draw lines matching the economic system with the correct definition and the correct real-life example. (5 minutes)

System Communism Socialism Capitalism

Definition An economic system providing free choice and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises An economic system in which the central government directs all major economic decisions An economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as health care and welfare

Real-life example   China/ Cuba  (Communism)         Canada/ France (Socialism)   United States/ Japan (Capitalism

ECONOMIC TERMS

Directions:  Use your glossary to define the following terms.  Include a real-life example. (8 minutes)

Free Market (Free Enterprise) –

Traditional –

Command Economy –

Mixed Economy – An economy in which the government regulates certain aspects of private enterprise, US – can’t build your own nuclear reactor.

 

FOUR PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT

Directions: Work with a partner to complete the following chart. (8 minutes)

Purpose of Government	Explanation	Real-Life Example
Maintain Social Order		Police, National Guard
Make Economic Decisions	Fiscal and Monetary Policy
National Security
Provide Public Services		Education

EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHERS

Directions: Match the philosopher with his major contribution to political thought. (5 minutes) Write the letter in the spot by the name.

A. Philosopher who amended the social contract adding the concept of natural rights and the ability to rebel against an unfair government in his book Two Treatises on Government B. Philosopher who commented on the concept of separation of powers, into separate branches, of government in his book On the Spirit of Laws C. Philosopher who developed the idea of a social contract theory of government (people give up some rights/freedoms to government for protection) in his book Leviathan D. Philosopher who championed ideas of equality

Thomas Hobbes          _______ John Locke                  _______ Jean Jacque Rousseau _______ 4.       Baron de Montesquieu_______

 

PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Directions: STUDY.

1. All men are created equal
2. They posses certain rights
3. Purpose of government is to protect these rights
4. The government gets their power from the people
5. People can rebel if needs not met (public order, public services, national security, and economic policy)

WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

Directions: Complete the chart with a partner. (10 minutes)

Weaknesses of the AoC	Explain why this is a problem
No Power to tax
No power to regulate trade -interstate and foreign
No Power to Enforce Laws
9/13 states needed to ratify law
13/13 states needed to amend AoC
No Judicial Branch
No Executive Branch

PRINCIPLES OF THE US CONSTITUTION Directions: Define the following terms. (10 minutes)

1.      Federalism –

2.      Separation of Powers –

3.      Judicial Review –

4.      Checks and Balances –

5.      Popular Sovereignty –

6.      Limited Government – 

HSA Tools

Below is a great link for HSA practice. Click on different headings and find "HSA Released Items"

http://mdk12.org/instruction/clg/government/goal3.html


HSA Practice Tests:   http://apps.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/hsaprep/selection.aspx?email=kerianne@yaho#

Choose NSL....remember to print when you complete!

Unit 1A: Forms of Government

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

Directions:  Read the information below and complete the activities that follow.
There are three basic forms of government that characterize the way power is distributed or divided within a country:  unitary, federal and confederate.  A country's size often influences how it divides political power. In large countries, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Russia, power is shared between the central government and the governments of its regions:  states, provinces or republics. This sharing of power is called a Federal System.
Many small countries, such as England, France and other European countries have Unitary Systems of government in which the central government exercises most political power. 
Often small countries or political areas (states, regions, provinces) will ally (become friends) with one another for the purpose of group defense and trade.  This alliance form of government is known as a confederate system.  In this system each political area or country remains independent or sovereign, but agrees to give up some power to a national government to protect them and promote trade.
The United States has experienced all three systems of government in our history.  As a colony under King George III, the United States (or at that time American Colonies) had a unitary system of government.  In this system the King and Parliament in Britain made decisions for the colonies.  Although the colonists had representative assemblies, their power was limited by the King and Parliament.  Royal Governors were appointed by the king, not elected by the colonists. 
When the United States first broke from Great Britain a representative democracy was created based on the confederate system.  Under this system of government there was a weak national government for the purpose of national defense, dealing with foreign countries and promoting trade, and strong state governments that were responsible for making most of the government decisions.  The national government did not have the power to tax, enforce laws or settle disagreements between the states.  This caused many problems because the states acted in their own best interest and often had conflicts with one another.  Trade became difficult because of a difference in tariffs (taxes on imported goods), different currencies (money), and state laws; this caused the economy to break down.  A meeting of state delegates was held in Annapolis, Maryland to try and fix the problem; however, the group decided that a new Constitution needed to be written. 
In 1783 delegates met in Philadelphia to create this new Constitution; a federal system was created to distribute power between the states and national government.  The federal system provided for power to be shared between the national and state governments, with the national government having supremacy (power) over the states.  The national government was given more power than it had under the confederate system, including the power to tax.  Many states were unhappy with the federal system; afraid that the federal (national) government would become too powerful.

Applying Forms of Government

Directions:  Using the information from the previous page complete the chart below.

Form of Government/Description	Advantages	Disadvantages

Directions:  Identify the form of Government for each of the following characteristics; write the correct term in the space provided. 

1.         ____________________________ Strong central government makes all decisions

2.         ____________________________ Loose alliance of states

3.         ____________________________ Power is shared between national and state governments

4.         ____________________________ Often authoritarian

5.         ____________________________ Weak or no central government

6.         ____________________________ Created mostly for trade and defense purposes

7.         ____________________________ Absolute monarchies

8.         ____________________________ Representative Democracies

9.         ____________________________ Head of state has complete control over the military

10.        ____________________________ Most power is retained (kept) by the states

11.        ____________________________ The colonies under the rule of King George III

12.        ____________________________ The newly free United States under the Articles of Confederation

13.        ____________________________ The United States as it exists under the Constitution

14.        ____________________________ Decision making process is very quick

15.        ____________________________ Can be very unstable

UPDATE FOR ASSIGNMENT LOCATION

I WANT YOU-TO CHECK OUT THE NEWLY UPDATED FORM FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN GOVERNMENT. LOOK UNDER "ASSIGNMENTS" TO FIND CLASSWORK, CLOZE NOTES, AND STUDY GUIDES.

Do not work ahead! Many assignments are done in class-working ahead denies you the benefits of the in class discussion and working with your cooperative learning groups. This is a tool for students who have been absent or have lost or forgotten their materials, as well as for parents to see what is going on in the classroom

Review sheet for 1A Test

Systems of Government (advantages/disadvantages/definition)

Federal System:

Unitary System:

Confederate System:

Democratic Systems (advantages/disadvantages/definition)

Direct Democracy

Indirect Democracy (AKA Democratic Republic or a Representative Democracy):

Constitutional Monarchy

Authoritarian Systems (advantages/disadvantages/definition)

Absolute Monarchy

Oligarchy

Autocratic Dictator

Be able to explain what authoritarian and totalitarian mean and provide examples

Purposes of Government

National security:

Public Services:

Vocab Terms: Popular Sovereignty, Sovereignty, Rule of Law, Limited Government

Economic and Government Systems:

Capitalism:

Socialism:

Communism:

Markets:

Command:

Market:

Mixed-Market:

Traditional:

Parliament v. Presidential democracies: 

Forms of Government (From January 24)

Comparing Political Systems/Types of Government

 Although every country’s political system may operate differently, all political systems can be placed in two separate categories:  Democratic or Authoritarian.  Democratic systems are based on a limited form of government where the people consent to be governed and the government’s protection of individual rights; these systems include:  Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy, and Constitutional Monarchy.  Authoritarian systems are unlimited forms of government where there are no limits on the power of the leader(s), power is usually taken and kept through the use of force, and individual rights are not protected; these systems include:  Absolute Monarchy, Oligarchy and Totalitarian Dictatorship.

 Authoritarian Governments:

   Absolute monarchy is rule by one person who claims power from inheritance which means it is passed down from one family member to another, or as God has picked them to rule. For thousands of years, rule by monarchs (kings or queens) was the common form of government.  The monarch is often the head of the state and of the official religion. Saudi Arabia and Jordan are both examples of absolute monarchs.

     Oligarchy means rule by the few. A small group governs the nation. Oligarchs may be military leaders, political party leaders, wealthy business owners or any other small group that gains control of government. In oligarchies, one individual may officially lead the country, but political power and decision making is in the hands of the group.  For example, in China today, there is a leader known as the Premier, however, the Communist Party actually runs the country.
     Dictatorship is rule by an individual who holds complete, or totalitarian, control over the government. Germany under Hitler, Italy under Mussolini, and Franco's Spain were dictatorships. In dictatorships, there may be some characteristics of democracy, but they are meaningless. Elections are faked, and citizens are required to vote without having any real choice between parties or leaders. Dictators usually surround themselves with loyal followers. The state and the dictator are one and the same. In some cases, a leader who originally represented an oligarchy becomes a dictator when he or she gains enough personal power to be unchallenged. Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union and Mao Zedong of China became dictators when they gained total control of the Communist parties that put them in power.  Current examples include Kim Jong Un of North Korea, and Raul Castro of Cuba.
Democratic Governments:
     Direct democracy exists when the citizens vote directly on government decisions.  In this system, the majority vote of the citizens determines all government decisions.  Direct democracy is still practiced in some small New England towns as well as in certain Swiss cantons (counties). Elements of direct democracy are also found in states where citizens can propose, or start legislation.  
     Representative Democracy is the more usual form of democratic government today. In this system, elected legislators represent the people in making laws and deciding public issues. These lawmakers are responsible to the people and may be removed from office through regular elections. A government in which people elect representatives is known as a republic. This is the system that we use in the United States.  Voters select through elections who they wish to represent them at each level of government.
Constitutional Monarchy is the limited type of Monarchy where the ruler’s power is limited by a Constitution.  The ruler usually has to consult an elected assembly of the people or religious leaders.  This type of government evolved in England.  Starting with the Magna Carta, the English monarch’s power has been limited.  Overtime a representative assembly evolved and gained power over the Monarch.  Today, England’s monarch has little power; most power resides in the elected body known as Parliament.

Summarizing Political Systems/Types of Government

Directions:  Using the information provided, complete the chart below.

DEMOCRATIC	Form of Government	What is it?	Advantages	Disadvantages
	Direct Democracy
	Representative Democracy
	Constitutional Monarchy
.

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

Directions:  Read the information below and complete the activities that follow.


There are three basic forms of government that characterize the way power is distributed or divided within a country:  unitary, federal and confederate.  A country's size often influences how it divides political power. In large countries, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Russia, power is shared between the central government and the governments of its regions:  states, provinces or republics. This sharing of power is called a Federal System.

Many small countries, such as England, France and other European countries have Unitary Systems of government in which the central government exercises most political power. 
Often small countries or political areas (states, regions, provinces) will ally (become friends) with one another for the purpose of group defense and trade.  This alliance form of government is known as a confederate system.  In this system each political area or country remains independent or sovereign, but agrees to give up some power to a national government to protect them and promote trade.
The United States has experienced all three systems of government in our history.  As a colony under King George III, the United States (or at that time American Colonies) had a unitary system of government.  In this system the King and Parliament in Britain made decisions for the colonies.  Although the colonists had representative assemblies, their power was limited by the King and Parliament.  Royal Governors were appointed by the king, not elected by the colonists. 
When the United States first broke from Great Britain a representative democracy was created based on the confederate system.  Under this system of government there was a weak national government for the purpose of national defense, dealing with foreign countries and promoting trade, and strong state governments that were responsible for making most of the government decisions.  The national government did not have the power to tax, enforce laws or settle disagreements between the states.  This caused many problems because the states acted in their own best interest and often had conflicts with one another.  Trade became difficult because of a difference in tariffs (taxes on imported goods), different currencies (money), and state laws; this caused the economy to break down.  A meeting of state delegates was held in Annapolis, Maryland to try and fix the problem; however, the group decided that a new Constitution needed to be written. 
In 1783 delegates met in Philadelphia to create this new Constitution; a federal system was created to distribute power between the states and national government.  The federal system provided for power to be shared between the national and state governments, with the national government having supremacy (power) over the states.  The national government was given more power than it had under the confederate system, including the power to tax.  Many states were unhappy with the federal system; afraid that the federal (national) government would become too powerful.

Applying Forms of Government

Directions:  Using the information from the previous page complete the chart below.

Form of Government/Description	Advantages	Disadvantages

Directions:  Identify the form of Government for each of the following characteristics; write the correct term in the space provided. 

1.         ____________________________ Strong central government makes all decisions

2.         ____________________________ Loose alliance of states

3.         ____________________________ Power is shared between national and state governments

4.         ____________________________ Often authoritarian

5.         ____________________________ Weak or no central government

6.         ____________________________ Created mostly for trade and defense purposes

7.         ____________________________ Absolute monarchies

8.         ____________________________ Representative Democracies

9.         ____________________________ Head of state has complete control over the military

10.        ____________________________ Most power is retained (kept) by the states

11.        ____________________________ The colonies under the rule of King George III

12.        ____________________________ The newly free United States under the Articles of Confederation

13.        ____________________________ The United States as it exists under the Constitution

14.        ____________________________ Decision making process is very quick

15.        ____________________________ Can be very unstable