Key Concepts in history

Learning point 1:  What is political power?

WHAT: The different systems of political power through time.
WHY: So that we can compare and contrast the differences between different systems and so that we can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
HOW: By researching, analyzing and evaluating 7 different political systems.
who_rules_-_key_reading.pdf
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power_introduction_pdf.pdf
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Task 1: Brainstorm and Define the concept

In small groups think about the concept of political power. What does it mean? How many political systems do you know about?

​On a mini whiteboard drawn a spider diagram and share your ideas. 
​Share your ideas with the class.

Task 2: Political systems: Who has the power?

Who is in charge in each government?
How did they get to be a leader?
How long does a leader remain in power?
Who gets to vote and when?
How are laws passed?
Which countries in the world follow this system?
  • Monarchy
  • Dictatorship
  • Theocracy
  • Direct Democracy
  • Representative Democracy
  • Junta
  • Anarchy
types_of_political_power.pptx
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Test your knowledge

CBBC Newsround | TYPES OF GOVERNMENT | Anarchy

This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. Anarchists are people who believe that government is a bad thing. They say it stops people organising their own lives.

Political Systems - Review

Task 3: Create your own island constitution

create_your_own_island_government.doc
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Preamble Constitution

Preamble to the United States Constitution 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.

Task 4: Debating Democracy

Thomas Jefferson
King Louis XIV
Josef Stalin
Ayatollah Khamenei
which_is_the_best_form_of_government_role_play.docx
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What does it mean to be free?

watch the following video and discuss what you understand by 'the people are free'.

Homework Task 1: Creating a convincing argument

TAsk 5: How democratic was Classical greece and ancient Rome?

classical_greece_and_ancient_rome.pptx
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Extension learning: Who rules the world in 2019?

Freedom in the World 2019 Map

Challenges to American democracy are testing the stability of its constitutional system and threatening to undermine political rights and civil liberties worldwide, according to Freedom in the World 2019.