LT 1: Forms of Government
In this government, a king or queen usually inherits political power.
Monarchy
This ancient civilization developed along the Nile River.
Egypt
This was an independent Greek community with its own government and laws.
City-State
This student of Socrates wrote The Republic and described an ideal government led by philosopher-kings.
Plato
This powerful Roman institution advised leaders and shaped laws and policies.
Senate
This is the belief in the existence of only one God.
Monotheism
This written document establishes the structure and powers of the United States government.
U.S. Constitution
In this form of government, political power ultimately belongs to the people.
Democracy
This “land between the rivers” developed between the Tigris and Euphrates.
Mesopotamia
Democracy developed in this Greek city-state.
Athens
This student of Plato studied actual governments and wrote Politics.
Aristotle
Rome elected two of these chief executives to share political and military authority
Consuls
This ancient monotheistic tradition developed among the Hebrew people and preserved the Ten Commandments.
Judaism
In this system, the structure and authority of government are established by a constitution.
Constitutional Government
Citizens elect officials to represent them, and the government operates under established laws.
Republic
This was the title given to an Egyptian king who served as both a political and religious leader.
Pharaoh
This Greek city-state emphasized military training, discipline, and obedience.
Sparta
Greek philosophers used this—logic and careful thinking—to understand government and society.
Reason
These officials were elected to defend plebeians from unfair government actions.
Tribunes
This religion grew out of Judaism and is based on the teachings of Jesus.
Christianity
This principle says government officials cannot exercise unlimited power and must obey the law.
Limited Government
Government where one person or few people possess unlimited power.
Autocracy
In this form of government, political authority is closely connected to religion.
Theocracy
In this system, citizens vote on laws themselves instead of electing representatives to make every decision.
Direct Democracy
Aristotle supported this principle, which says rulers and citizens must obey established laws.
Rule of Law
This power allowed an official to block a government decision. Its name means “I forbid.”
Veto
According to Jewish tradition, these religious and moral laws were given to Moses.
Ten Commandments
This principle gives different government branches or institutions different responsibilities.
Separation of Powers
In this government, a small group of powerful people controls political decisions.
Oligarchy
This Babylonian collection contained 282 publicly recorded laws and punishments.
Code of Hammurabi
In Athens, this legal status gave eligible men political rights along with responsibilities to their community.
Citizenship
This is the belief that government should benefit the entire community instead of only its rulers.
Common Good
These publicly displayed laws gave Roman citizens access to established legal rules.
Twelve Tables
This idea teaches that standards of right and wrong apply to rulers as well as ordinary people.
Moral Law
This principle allows different parts of government to restrain or block one another.
Checks and Balances