Agenda Monday, 2/23/09 ~ Please take out a fresh piece of paper for chapter two notes! ~ Chapter 2 sec 1

Why Americans Have Governments Every country in the world has a government; however, they all vary widely. Each government is shaped by traditional beliefs, the people, and its history.

Non-Democratic Governments Monarch – is a person, such as a king or queen, who reigns over kingdom or empire. Examples include Saudi Arabia, England, and Sweden.

Dictator This a picture of Fidel Castro the dictator of Cuba. A dictator is a person who rules with complete and absolute power. Dictators are authoritarian, which means that the rulers only answer to themselves, not to the people they rule.

Theocracy A theocracy is a government controlled by one or more religious leaders who claim to rule on behalf of God or the gods worshipped in their country.

Democracy Cartoon

Democratic Governments In a democracy the people of a nation either rule directly or they elect officials who act on their behalf. Direct Democracy – all voters in a community meet in one place to make laws and decide what actions to take.

Representative Democracy In a representative democracy the people elect representatives to carry on the work of government for them. Republic – the people consent to be ruled by their elected leaders.

Purpose of Government Helping people to cooperate. Necessary for people to unite, solve problems, and collaborate. Providing service – schools, protects from attacks, fire and rescue, trash, travel highways, and health laws.

Providing Laws The basic plan under which Americans live is contained in the Constitution. A constitution sets forth the purposes of the government and describes how the government is to be organized.

Governments also provide laws Laws must be constitutional to be valid Laws are recorded so people can know and obey them. Laws are passed by the government to guide and protect all of us.

Guaranteeing Freedom The government of the United States has a 4th purpose - to guarantee the freedom of the its citizens. The U.S. Constitution and all state Constitutions set out rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to all individuals. You must take an active role to protect these.

Please answer the following question in your notes. Why does a football team need a head coach?

The First Government Chapter 2 sec 2 In 1775, angry about new taxes and actions of the British Parliament, the American colonist went to war with Great Britain. The next year 13 delegates appointed a committee to draw up a Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence List the reasons why the colonies decided to separate from Great Britain and form an independent country. The colonists believed that the power of government comes from the consent of the governed – the people of the country.

Justifying Independence Declaration of Independence is much more than a document. It explains to the world in clear language that the purpose of government is to protect human rights. Human rights are the basic rights to which all people are entitled.

Ideals of American Government Over the years the language from the Declaration has come to mean that all Americans are equal under the law. Every person’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are equal to those rights of every other person.

Greatest Document Declaration is considered to be the greatest document in our country’s history. It remains a lasting symbol of American freedom.

Articles of Confederation The Declaration of Independence was not a plan or a blueprint to provide a government. It was a statement of colonist grievances against the king. In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a plan of government – the Articles of Confederation. Approved in 1781 In 1783 the United States won its independence and became a confederation.

Government under the Articles A confederation is a loose association, rather than a firm union.