American Government 1.2 The Formation of Governments

Drill: State & Nation 
State: a political community
Nation: an independent state or country

LESSON OBJECTIVE
Students will compare and contrast unitary and federal governments by researching the available information.

I. Government Systems 
A. A unitary government - gives all key powers to central government.
B. A federal government - divides the powers of government between the national government and state governments.

II. Constitutions and Government 
A. A constitution - a plan that provides the rules for government.
B. Whether written or unwritten, a constitution organizes the structure of government and the way it operates.
C. Constitutions provide the supreme law for states and their governments.

III. Politics and Government
A. Politics- is the effort to control or influence the actions of government.
B. Individuals and groups use politics to seek benefits from government.
C. Although special groups seek special benefits, politics also provides benefits for all the people.

Notes
1. A national government has key powers is a unitary form of system
2. A confederacy is a loose union of independent states
3. A federal system of government divides power
4. A. constitutional government is a limited form of government
5. Nations depending on one another is called interdependence
6. A. constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government.
7. The preamble is a statement in the constitution sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government.
8. Defining the extent and limits of government power and rights of citizens is the purpose of constitutional law.
9. Politics: taking part in this when you ask people to vote for school levies. 
10. The United States is an example of a developed nation. 			

American Government 1.2 The Formation of Governments

1.E
2.C
3.A
4.B
5.D		

6.A
7.B
8.D
9.C
10B

Summary: In today’s lesson we compared and contrasted unitary and federal governments by researching the available information.

Homework: 
Unitary (Government) -all key powers to central government.
Federal (Government) - divides the powers of government between the national government and state governments.

Name ________________________________Class ___________ Date_______

American Government 1.2 The Formation of Governments

Match each item in Column A with the items in Column B. Write the correct letters in the blanks. 
Column A
_____1. national government has key powers
_____2. loose union of independent states
_____3. divides power
_____4. limited government
_____5. nations depending on one another
	Column B
A. federal system
B. constitutional government
C. confederacy
D. interdependence
E. unitary system

In the blank at the left, write the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 
_____6. This plan provides the rules for government.
A. constitution 				C. preamble
B. confederacy 				D. politics
_____7. This statement in the constitution sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government.
A. prologue 					C. preface
B. preamble 					D. prelude
_____8. Defining the extent and limits of government power and rights of citizens is the purpose of
A. a federal system. 				C. politics.
B. an unitary system. 			D. constitutional law.
_____9. You are taking part in this when you ask people to vote for school levies.
A. constitutional law 			C. politics
B. a confederacy 				D. constitutional interpretations
_____10. The United States is an example of
A. a unitary government. 			C. a confederacy.
B. a developed nation. 			D. an undeveloped nation.

In your own words, summarize today’s lesson: