Gilmanton School
7Th Grade Social Studies
Introduction to Civics Unit
Introduction Activity and Notes
Name_____________________________________________________
Date_________________________
Directions:
Over the course of the first few days of this unit, use this document to write down some basic
definitions and key concepts as we discuss them as a class. Be sure to answer each question in complete
sentences.
What is Government?
-Discussion Notes:
-Definition: The system of people, laws, and officials (law makers and enforcers) that define, manage,
and control the town/city, state, and country you live in
Is Government necessary in our lives?
-Discussion Notes:
-What is a Social Contract? Why do they exist?
An implied agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example, by
sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection. People formed societies so that their lives
could be more secure and managed by rules and organization rather than by whoever was the toughest,
the richest, or the most ruthless.
What should be the role/purpose of government in a society?
-Discussion Notes:
-What are the Four Purposes of Government?
A. Provide and Maintain Social Order
Examples:
B. Provide Public Safety
Examples:
C. Provide National Security
Examples:
D. Provide for an Economic System
Examples:
Understanding Forms of Government
Directions:
Answer each of the following questions as the class moves through the notes entitled “Forms of
Government.”
1. What is the difference between a type of government and a system of government?
Type-
System-
2. What key question determines the type of government?
3. What are the three types of government?
4. Describe each type of government:
I. A______________________
DefinitionThree Types1. D_______________________________
2. A____________________ M_______________________
3. C________________________ M_______________________
II. O_______________________
DefinitionExamples-
III. D____________________________
DefinitionTwo Types1. D_________________ D__________________
2. I______________________ D__________________
Five Characteristics of this type of governmenta.
b.
c.
d.
e.
What are the two major versions of this system?
P_____________________ D________________________
Examples:
P__________________________ D_______________________
Examples:
Redraw the diagram from the notes that demonstrates the difference between these two versions.
5. What question determines the type system of government a society has?
6. What are the three ways that power is distributed?
U______________________________
C______________________________
F______________________________
7. Describe each system of government:
I. U_______________________________
How does it work?
II. C______________________________
How does it work?
III. F______________________________
How does it work?
8. How is citizen participation and government power different in different types of governments?
A__________________________________________
O__________________________________________
D__________________________________________
9. So what is the full name of our form of government in the United States?
10. How are citizens able to participate in their government in the United States?