7th Grade Social Studies: Foundation of American Government PDF

## 7th Grade Social Studies, Unit 2: Foundation of American Government ### Vocabulary: Sections 1-3 ### Section I: "Why Americans Have Government” | **Government:** | The entire system of authority, or power, that rules on behalf of a group of people | | **Absolute Monarchs:** | Individuals (i.e. -...

## 7th Grade Social Studies, Unit 2: Foundation of American Government ### Vocabulary: Sections 1-3 ### Section I: "Why Americans Have Government” | **Government:** | The entire system of authority, or power, that rules on behalf of a group of people | | **Absolute Monarchs:** | Individuals (i.e. - kings or queens) that possess full control over a nation and its peoples; sometimes ruled by force | | **Dictatorship:** | A government with a single individual or small group holding all the power; rules by force and intimidation | | **Totalitarian Government:** | A government that has complete and total control over the lives of its citizens | | **Democracy:** | A system in which a nation's citizens rule directly or elect officials to act and/or speak on their behalf | | **Direct Democracy:** | A system of government in which all voters in a community meet together to make laws and to decide what actions to take. | | **Representative Democracy:** | A form of government in which the citizens elect representatives to carry out the work of government for them; also known as a Republic | | **American Government:** | The authority that Americans have established to help the people rule their own affairs | | **Laws:** | Rules of conduct that a society must follow. They are written so that people may understand and obey them. Consequences for disobeying laws can vary based on both the law and the society. | | **Constitution:** | Written plans for government. Constitutions contain many of the laws of a nation or people. They also establish the national, state and/or regional governments and clarify each division's purpose. |