Foundations of Government

Vocabulary

100

The residents of a city, state, or country

Citizens

200

A government process used to make decisions and allows for competing opinions

Politics

300

A system by which people are ruled within a state or community

Government

400

A guideline the government implements in order to protect its citizens such as laws, goals, defense, and taxation

Policy

500

The freedoms enjoyed by all US citizens and the right to act and think as one chooses

Liberty

Branches of Government

100

The President belongs to this branch of government

Executive

200

The Supreme Court belongs to this branch of government

Judicial

300

The Senate and House of Representatives belong to this branch of government

Legislative

400

This branch is responsible for ensuring that laws passed by Congress are implemented and followed and has the power to Veto laws

Executive

500

This branch is responsible for reviewing laws passed and actions taken by the other branches to ensure they are constitutional.

Judicial

Types of Government

100

A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system

Democracy

200

Supreme power is held by a single person, usually a king or queen

Monarchy

300

Absolute or unlimited power held by a single person, usually taken over by force

Dictatorship

400

A state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them

Republic

500

A form of government ruled by a few, select individuals, also known as an aristocracy

Oligarchy

Theories

100

The state was created or formed by the power of God or the Gods.

Divine Right Theory

200

The idea that government originated with the family and the head of the family became the head of the government.  As families grew larger, there was a need for more order resulting in small governments forming.

Evolutionary Theory

300

Smaller groups of people were forced to submit to a ruling authority based on their own personal need such as food or shelter

Force Theory

400

The idea that people should surrender their power and authority to leaders and, in return, receive protection from those leaders.

Social Contract Theory

500

This document was loosely based on the Social Contract Theory

Declaration of Independence 

Misc

100

A geographical area that has the power to make, implement, and enforce laws

State

200

The government has unlimited power and political leaders are also religious leaders in this type of government.

Theocracy

300

This war led to the colonies being taxed by Britain to cover the costs of their military

French and Indian War

400

The reason for government according to the Declaration of Independence

To protect citizens natural rights or to ensure Life, Liberty and Happiness

500

The great charter of English liberties written in 1215

Magna Carta