Homework Check

Have out to be checked: • Signed class letter• Roman numeral exercise completed

1) IX = ________ 11) 10 = ________

2) XL = _______ 12) 32 = ________

3) III = ________ 13) 515 = _______

4) LXI = _______ 14) 4 = _________

5) XVI = _______ 15) 15 = ________

6) XIV = _______ 16) 49 = ________

7) XX = _______ 17) 27 = _______

8) XC = _______ 18) 95 = ________

9) CV = _______ 19) 45 = ________

10) MLX = ______ 20) 230 = ______

Intro to Civics

Daily Objectives

1. What type of government does the U.S. have?

2. Why is having a government important?

3. Name the 3 branches of government.

4. Name the 3 levels of government.

Warm-up: Primary Source Activity

At your table, Look (close read) the letter Fill out the boxes at the top You do not have to answer the

questions yet

What do you see? What do you know? What questions do you have?

Mount Vernon, November 5, 1786. My dear Sir: I thank you for the communications in your letter … Let prejudices, unreasonable jealousies, and local interest yield to reason and liberality. Let us look to our National character, and to things beyond the present period. No morn ever dawned more favourably than ours did; and no day was ever more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm… I hope, to take the lead in promoting this great and arduous work. Without some alteration in our political creed, the superstructure we have been seven years raising at the expence of so much blood and treasure, must fall. We are fast verging to anarchy and confusion!A letter which I have just received from Genl Knox, who had just returned from Massachusetts …information of the temper, and designs of a considerable part of that people…What stronger evidence can be given of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders? If there exists not a power to check them, what security has a man for life, liberty, or property?... Thirteen Sovereignties pulling against each other, and all tugging at the foederal head will soon bring ruin on the whole; whereas a liberal, and energetic Constitution, well guarded and closely watched, to prevent incroachments, might restore us to that degree of respectability… [The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.]

Questions

1. Highlight some of the reasons Washington is alarmed about the status of the American government.

2. Does Washington think the American government holds any promise of success? If so, find what statement supports your answer and underline it.

3. What does Washington mean when he says “If there exists not a power to check them, what security has a man for life, liberty, or property?”

4. What does Washington fear will happen if we do not have a strong government?

Group Activity Directions:

• Work with the people at your table to complete the reading activity using the textbook.

• Your group will be assigned one question to teach to the class.

• You have approximately 30 minutes

Vocabulary Civics- the study of the rights and duties of citizens Citizen- community members who owe loyalty to the government and

who are entitled to protection from it Government- ruling authority of a community Dictatorship- government controlled by one person or a small group

of people Democracy-government in which the people (citizens) hold the power

to rule Direct Democracy- form of democracy in which the people make

decisions and vote firsthand Representative Democracy- government in which the citizens choose

a smaller group to govern on their behalf

Where and when did the idea of citizenship begin? Describe what a citizen is.

The concept of citizenship dates back to ancient Greece and Rome 2500 years ago.

Citizens are community members who oweloyalty to the government and are entitled toprotection from it. They share a common history, customs and values.

What is “government” and why is it important to have?

A government is the ruling authority for a community that has the power to make and enforce laws and decisions for its members.

Without the guidance of government, society would be chaotic.

Name 4 functions of government and give an example of each.

Function Example

1. Keep Order -pass and enforce laws-establish courts

2. Provide Services -provide libraries, schools, hospitals, parks, utilities

3. Provide Security -prevent crime-protect citizens from foreign attack

4. Guide the Community -manage the economy-conduct foreign relations

What are the 3 levels of government in the United States?

National

State

Local

What is the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?

A dictatorship is a government controlled by one person or a small group of people. The citizens have no voice.

In a democracy, the people rule and have the voice in govt.

Compare and contrast a direct democracy and a representative democracy. Which one does the US have?

- All citizens have an equal voice

- All citizens discuss matters

and vote-not practiced

today

- Citizens choose a small group to represent them

- This groups makes laws and governs for the

people- People maintain

the power- The United

States uses thisCit

izens

rule

What are the 3 branches of government in the United States?

3 Branches of Gov't

Legislative Executive Judicial

Oral Objective Check

1. What type of government does the U.S. have?

2. Why is having a government important?

3. Name the 3 branches of government.

4. Name the 3 levels of government.

Homework

1. Get your 3 subject college ruled spiral notebook by next week