Classroom Resource

Who Rules

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

7, 12

Overview

In this lesson from iCivics, students learn about the different forms of government that exist, including democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, and others. They compare and contrast these forms, and they look at real-life examples in the world today.  

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 7 - 7th Grade: Civics

SS10.7C.3

Compare the government of the United States with other governmental systems, including monarchy, limited monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, and pure democracy.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.7C.3

Vocabulary

  • power
  • federalism
  • republic

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The characteristics of the various forms of government found around the world including Federal Republic (representative democracy), Monarchy (absolute monarchy), Limited monarchy (constitutional monarchy), Oligarchy, Dictatorship, Theocracy, and Pure democracy (direct democracy).

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Interpret primary source documents.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The system of government of the United States can be compared to other forms of government in the world.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

SS10.USG.1

Explain historical and philosophical origins that shaped the government of the United States, including the Magna Carta, the Petition of Rights, the English Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the influence of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu, Jean-Jaques Rousseau, and the Great Awakening.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.USG.1

Vocabulary

  • state of nature
  • social contract theory
  • constitutional
  • authoritarian
  • totalitarian
  • compact
  • government
  • democracy
  • right
  • Enlightenment
  • rule of law

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Key political philosophers and events that influenced the creation of the American government.
  • Key political documents that influenced the creation of the American government.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Interpret primary documents distinguishing the impact of the document's central idea on formation of American government.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Significant key philosophers, events, and documents shaped the concepts of American government and how these concepts differ from other forms of government.
Link to Resource
https://www.icivics.org/teachers/lesson-plans/who-rules?referer=node/10467&page…

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Other

Resource Provider other

iCivics
Accessibility

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
License

License Type

CUSTOM

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.icivics.org/terms-use

Comments or Notes

iCivics is free for teachers.  Teachers need to create a free account to access all available resources. 

Approved Date

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