1. C H A P T E R 1 Principles of Government
American Government
C H A P T E R 1 Principles of Government

2. Bell Ringer: CNN 10

3. C H A P T E R 1 Questions we will consider today?
What is Government? Where did it come from? Why do we have it? 1 2 3
Chapter 1

4. American Government Pre-Test (20-25 minutes)
Directions:
Hand out the Government Pre-Test
After all students are finished – discuss the answers as a class

5. C H A P T E R 1 Principles of Government
SECTION 1 Government and the State SECTION 2 Forms of Government SECTION 3 Basic Concepts of Democracy
*Anything on the following slides written in color – you will need to write the term and definition 1 2 3
Chapter 1

6. S E C T I O N 1: LEARNING OBJECTIVES Government and the State
How is government defined?
What are the basic powers that every government holds?
What are the four defining characteristics of the state?
How have we attempted to explain the origin of the state?
What is the purpose of government in the United States and other countries? 2 3
Chapter 1, Section 1

7. Start Up
Government and You  Consider what you already know about the government of the United States. What have you done recently that involved the government? How has the government affected you or someone you know?
Make a list of at least 3 useful things the government does for its citizens.
Explain why you think each one is useful.

8. What Is Government?
Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. 2 3
Chapter 1 Section 1

9. The State
The state can be defined as having these four characteristics: 2 3
Chapter 1, Section 1

10. Origins of the State The Force Theory
The force theory states that one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule.
The Evolutionary Theory
The evolutionary theory argues that the state evolved naturally out of the early family.
The Divine Right Theory
The theory of divine right holds that God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule.
The Social Contract Theory
The social contract theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people. 2 3
Chapter 1, Section 1

12. The Purpose of Government
The main purposes of government are described in the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 2 3
Chapter 1, Section 1

13. Section 1 Review 1. A government is
(a) the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
(b) a collection of people.
(c) always democratic.
(d) the organization representing farms and industries.
2. A state has the following four characteristics:
(a) population, territory, sovereignty, and government.
(b) sovereignty, a perfect union, welfare, and territory.
(c) people, places, force, and divine right.
(d) justice, defense, liberty, and domestic tranquility.
Want to connect to the Magruder’s link for this chapter? Click Here! 2 3
Chapter 1, Section 1

14. Introduction: Crash Course U. S. Government and Politics
Introduction: Crash Course U.S. Government and Politics *Students will answer the questions on the Handout as they watch the video

15. iCivics Lesson Why Government?
Directions:
We will read as a class – volunteers or chosen
Draw in each box – FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS
Color your drawings
Cut out and match each of the cards – FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS
Turn into appropriate basket, when finished
If time permits -- Video Clip: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

16. Start Section 2 next class