53.

government

54. political system set of rules or laws for using power over a group of people
Example: The political system of Senegal is that of a republic.
(SS070207)

a system that creates and enforces laws and institutions in a region such as community or country
Example: The countries of the world have different kinds of governments.
(SS070207)

55. dictatorship

56. monarchy

a government where one person or group of people holds all of the political power; authoritarianism
Example: Citizens usually have few rights in a dictatorship.
(SS070207)

a government ruled by a king or queen

Example: In a monarchy rulers are not elected by the people.
(SS070207)

57. theocracy

58. representative democracy

a government ruled by religious authority from god.

a government where the political power is in the hands of the people through elected representatives; a republic
(SS070207)

Example: Iran is a theocracy.

Example: The United States is a representative democracy.

(SS070207)

59. parliamentary democracy

60. political coup a takeover of the government, usually by force

Example: The government of the Congo changed in 1965 due to a political coup.
(SS070207)

a political system where power lies in a body of citizens or parliament who can elect people to represent them
Example: Mauritius has a parliamentary democracy for its government,
(SS070207)

61. infrastructure

62. social services

physical or human systems of a country

Example: Roads, bridges, airports, and water lines are examples of a countrys infrastructure.
(SS070207)

help or aid given to the citizenry

Example: Social services such as health care help people to live better lives.
(SS070207)

Forms of Government Review Cut the squares apart and give one to each student. Have them match the government to the definition and African country.
Form of Government Form of Government Definition Definition African Country Example African Country Example

Monarchy

a government ruled by a king or queen

Swaziland
African Country Example

Form of Government

Definition

Dictatorship

a government where one person or group of people holds all of the political power; authoritarianism
Definition

Libya
(in practice, though not admitted)

Form of Government

African Country Example

Theocracy
Form of Government

a government ruled by religious authority from god.

Definition

No country in Africa,
(Iran is an example)

African Country Examples

Republic

a government where the political power is in the hands of the people through elected representatives; a republic
Definition

South Africa Chad Senegal And many more

African Country Examples

Form of Government

Parliamentary Democracy

a political system where power lies in a body of citizens or parliament who can elect people to represent them

Mauritius Zimbabwe

Democratic Republic of the Congo Background Information

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country in central Africa. It is the third largest country on the African continent. The equator cuts across it. The Congo River system flows through the country and is used for transportation as well as a major water supply. This country has heavy rainfall and a lush tropical forest. The Congo is rich in many minerals, including copper, silver, zinc, and tin as well as diamonds. Explored by Stanley and Livingston in 1840 this area was established as the Belgian Congo in 1908. The Democratic Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960. Its early years of independence were marred by political fighting and social instability. Col. Joseph Mobuto seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup or takeover. In 1971 he changed the name of the country to Zaire. Mobutu retained his position for 32 years through several unfair elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war raged throughout the country. ln May 1997 the fighting led to the toppling of the Mobutu regime by a rebellion led by Laurent Kabila. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Fighting continued off and on for years with rebels from neighboring countries invading the country. Laurent Kabila was assassinated in January 2001. His son, Joseph Kabila, was named head of state. Kabila was eventually elected and inaugurated as president in December 2006. The DR Congo is a republic and continues to work to keep peace and support its people. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has vast mineral resources. Yet it has struggled economically and is slowly recovering from decline due to years of war. The conflict of war greatly reduced the ability of the people to produce goods and the government debt was high. Many foreign businesses left. There were many deaths from famine and disease. Conditions began to improve in 2002 when most of the invading troops left. President Kabila and the other leaders welcomed international firms and investors. Mining is once again growing. The capital or the DR Congo is Kinshasa

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is often confused with its smaller neighbor, the Republic of the Congo. Sometimes they are referred to by their capitals such as Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville to make it clearer. Many times people use the initials DRC or DR Congo to refer to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Map

Timeline of 200 years in the Congo Events and Consequences In the Congo
Era Event Environmental/ Mineral Resources Consequences for the Population and Country