Sixth Grade Social Studies
Unit 1: Foundations in Social Studies
SS060112
Lesson 12
Graphic Organizer
To
provide
security
To make
and enforce
laws
To furnish
public
services
To protect the
rights of
citizens
To act on
behalf of its
citizens in
foreign
relations
The Purposes of
Government
Different
Political
Systems
Different Types of
Political Systems
Governments
differ over how
much power and
freedom the
people have
Governments of
the world can be
classified into five
major categories
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
www.micitizenshipcurriculum.org
Democracies
allow rights and
freedoms
Dictatorships
restrict rights and
freedoms
Page 1 of 5
June 25, 2009
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Unit 1: Foundations in Social Studies
SS060112
Lesson 12
Big Ideas of Lesson 12, Unit 1
1. Different types of government, or political systems, exist in the world
today.
2. Some governments are controlled by a single person or a small group of
people.
3. Some governments are controlled by all of the people.
4. Some governments grant their people many freedoms, while others do
not.
5. Governments of the world include representative democracies,
monarchies, dictatorships, oligarchies, and Communism.
6. Democracies allow for rights and freedoms; dictatorships restrict rights and
freedoms.
7. In a dictatorship, a single, powerful ruler exerts complete control.
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
www.micitizenshipcurriculum.org
Page 1 of 5
June 25, 2009
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Unit 1: Foundations in Social Studies
SS060112
Lesson 12
Word Cards
Word Cards from previous lessons needed for this lesson:
government – Word Card #105 from Lesson 11
representative democracy – Word Card #106 from Lesson 11
116. monarchy
117. constitutional
monarchy
a government ruled by
a king or queen
a country that has a king or queen
and also an elected government with
a political leader
Example: In a monarchy rulers are not
elected by the people.
Example: Canada is a constitutional
monarchy.
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118.
dictatorship
119. oligarchy
a government where one person or
group of people holds all of the
political power
Example: Citizens usually have few rights
in a dictatorship.
a government where
a small group holds
political power
Example: Leaders in an oligarchy hold
power because of their wealth, military
strength, family connections, political
influence, or privilege.
(SS060112)
(SS060112)
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
www.micitizenshipcurriculum.org
Page 1 of 5
June 25, 2009
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Unit 1: Foundations in Social Studies
SS060112
Lesson 12
120. theocracy
121.
communism
a form of oligarchy
where the power is held by a group of
religious leaders
Example: Iran is an example of a
theocracy.
(SS060112)
an economic system in
which the central
government owns farms, factories,
and offices
Example: Cuba is a communist country.
(SS060112)
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
www.micitizenshipcurriculum.org
Page 1 of 5
June 25, 2009
Sixth Grade Social Studies
Unit 1: Foundations in Social Studies
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
www.micitizenshipcurriculum.org
SS060112
Lesson 12
Page 1 of 5
June 25, 2009