This document is a study guide for a political developments of Europe class. It provides definitions and examples of different types of governments (autocracy, oligarchy, democracy), systems of government (unitary, federal, confederation), and specifics about key European countries (Germany, Russia, UK). The guide covers topics like presidential vs parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchies, and provides a table comparing features of Germany, Russia, and the UK.

1. Name:________________________ Date: ______________ Ntbk #: _____
Study Guide  Political Developments of Europe
DIRECTIONS: Use your notebook to fill help you fill in the following study guide.
I. Correctly label the acronyms that we have been using for types & systems of government:
A. S - Systems T - Types
C - Confederation O - Oligarchy
U - Unitary A - Autocracy
F - Federal D – Democracy
II. Types of Government
A. Define Autocracy – Only one person has all the power in making decisions for all of the
people.
B. Define the 2 forms of Autocracy and name an example for each:
1. Dictatorship – Rule by a dictator.
a. Example – Germany’s Hitler, U.S.S.R.’s Stalin
2. Absolute Monarchy – One King/Queen in power with complete control.
a. Example – France’s King Louis XVI, Spain’s King Ferdinand
C. Define Oligarchy – A small group. Only a few people in a small group of royalty, wealth,
family, or military influence make political decisions for the country’s people.
D. Define the 1 form of oligarchy and name the examples:
1. Communism – Where the government makes all economic and political decisions.
a. Examples – former Soviet Union, Cuba, and China
E. Define Democracy – The citizens have a say in their government by voting in elections.
F. Define Republic – The people elect leaders to represent them in the government. Most
democracies today are republics.
G. Describe a Presidential Democracy and list an example: A government in which the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches are separate. The citizens vote for the leader of the country
(the President), who serves in the executive branch.
a. Example – U.S.A., Russia, Mexico
H. Describe a Parliamentary Democracy and list examples: A government where voters elect
representatives to a lawmaking body called parliament. Parliament members then select
their leader, usually called prime minister. The citizens DO NOT DIRECTLY ELECT the leader.
a. Examples – United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia
I. Describe a Constitutional Monarchy and list examples: A form of government where a
monarch acts as head of state within the guidelines of a constitution.
a. Examples – Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium

2. Name:________________________ Date: ______________ Ntbk #: _____
III. Systems of Government
A. Define Unitary – A system in which the power is held by one central authority. All power is
given to one branch of government.
1. Examples of Unitary – France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Former Soviet Union
B. Define Federal – Power is shared by a powerful central government and the state or local
governments.
1. Examples of Federal – United States, Russia, and Germany
C. Define Confederation – A system in which power is shared by an alliance or union of political
organizations. Independent states voluntarily work together for some common purpose and
agree to certain limits on their freedom of action as a confederation.
1. Examples of Confederation – European Union
IV. European Union
A. How many countries are members of the European Union? 28
B. The European Union uses a currency known as what? The Euro
C. List 5 European countries NOT in the EU: Turkey, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Norway, etc.
D. All members of the European Union must have what form of government? Democracy
V. Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom
Germany Russia United Kingdom
Type of
Government
Parliamentary
Democracy
Presidential
Democracy
Parliamentary
Democracy &
Constitutional
Monarchy
System of
Government
Federal Federal Unitary
Head of State with
MORE Power
Chancellor President Prime Minister
Head of State with
LESS Power
President Prime Minster Queen
Citizens participate
By electing…
People elect
representatives
(members of
parliament) who then
elect the Chancellor.
People directly elect the
President of Russia
People elect
representatives
(Members of
Parliament) who then
elect the Prime
Minister.

3. Name:________________________ Date: ______________ Ntbk #: _____