1. government
a system of laws and leaders that helps keep people safe and protect their rights

2. people working together for the benefit of everybody
the common good
people working together for the benefit of everybody

3. things one person is entitled to have or to do
individual rights
things one person is entitled to have or to do

4. things that a government does for people
public services
things that a government does for people

5. state government A government of one of the 50 states
Ex: The state government of Michigan is in Lansing.

6. republic
a government where people hold the power of government and choose leaders to make laws and decisions for them

7. representative government
people elect representatives to make laws for them and be their leaders

8. elect to choose someone by voting
Ex: People vote for someone through elections.

9. House of Representatives and Senate
the two groups that make up the law-making branch of Michigan government

10. a member of the House of Representatives
senator
representative
a member of the Senate
a member of the House of Representatives

11. The Three Levels of Government
Local-the government of a community
State-the government of a state
National-the government of a country

12. a plan written for the government
constitution
a plan written for the government

13. limited government
the government can do only what the people has given it the power to do

14. capital the city where the government is located
Ex: Lansing is Michigan’s capital.

15. Ex: Michigan’s governor lives and works in Lansing, the capital.
the leader of the state
Ex: Michigan’s governor lives and works in Lansing, the capital.

16. court
the place where a trial is held – the Supreme Court is the highest court in Michigan.

17. The Three Branches of Government
The branch of government that makes laws
Legislative
The branch of government that enforces laws
Executive
The branch of government that decides what laws mean
Judicial

18. the name of Michigan’s legislative branch
legislature
the name of Michigan’s legislative branch
Ex: The Michigan legislature is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate.

19. the person who is in charge of the court
judge
the person who is in charge of the court

20. trial
when a crime or conflict is handled in a court Ex: A person went to trial for stealing a car.

21. jury
a group of citizens who listen to the evidence at a trial and decide if the law has been broken

22. freedom of speech
the right to say what you want and to talk about your beliefs, ideas, and feelings

23. freedom of religion
the right to have any religious beliefs you want or no religious beliefs at all

24. civic responsibilities
things citizens are supposed to do
Ex: voting and obeying laws

25. the way leaders are chosen in our country
voting
the way leaders are chosen in our country