Why Study Civics?

Why study Civics? To know the following: Your rights and responsibilities The role of government in everyday lives Our economic system and decisions you make and others that effect your life What is our relationship to other nations and world affairs

What is Civic life? Politics Government The political process What government institutions are in our daily lives The processes by which groups with different interests and opinions reach and enforce decisions

What is the foundation of the American Political System? The Constitution Explains how power is shared among the different branches of government and on the federal and state level

Unit One- Foundations of American Citizenship Government of the People, by the People, for the People

What is Government in America? Government is the ruling authority in a community Citizens agree to follow a set of rules and accept government authority Three levels of government in America: Federal State Local

Functions of Government Provide services, protection that individuals could not supply independently Keeping order and providing security- laws prevent and settle conflicts, armed forces defend citizens against outside forces Providing public services- services aimed at keeping public healthy and safe Guiding the community- formation of public policy to achieve community goals To collect and spend money Communication and cooperation with other countries

Types of Government Dictatorship- government control by small group or one person Democracy- all citizens participate, share in governing and being governed Direct democracy- all citizens participated, had right and responsibility, and had equal voice Began in ancient Greece 2500 yrs. ago Not practical in US because of large, diverse population

Democratic Government US has a representative democracy- citizens choose smaller group to represent them, make laws, govern Citizens source of government authority U.S. oldest representative democracy in the world

Fundamental Principles of American Democracy Rule of Law- All people are bound by law Limited Government- Can only do what people give it power to do Consent to be Governed- citizens are source of power Individual Rights- protected by government Representative Government- people elect leaders to govern, make laws Free, fair competitive elections Candidates have right to freely express opinion in public One person one vote Legal requirements to vote kept to a minimum Majority Rule

American Diversity and Citizenship

Nation of Immigrants US great ethnic, religious diversity American culture is a blend of many influences Until mid 1900’s most immigrants from Europe Latin Americans, Asians account for most newcomers African slavery was immigration by force American population grew because of immigration and natural growth Migration- Population moved from rural areas to cities beginning in late 1800’s (manufacturing jobs) Manufacturing is being replaced by service economy (jobs that provide a “service” for others) American population is aging Hispanics fastest growing ethnic group By 2050 Hispanics will make up a majority of the population

Aliens in America Millions enter America only 675,000 accepted 5-6 million illegal aliens live in U.S. Many come for economic opportunity Do not have full political rights, can’t hold government jobs Can have public services (school, health care), own property and hold jobs

Who are America’s citizens? Two way to become a citizen- birth, naturalization Birth born in U.S. parents are citizens born on U.S. soil (exception: children of foreign diplomats) Naturalization Aliens come to U.S. for work, school, etc. eventually leave Immigrants come to U.S. to settle Steps to become a citizen Sign statement to become citizen Live in U.S. for at least 5 years At least 18 and then file paperwork, apply for citizenship Interview and citizenship exam Sworn in as citizen Children become citizens also

Privileges of Citizenship Lost for criminal behavior Stripped by government Voluntarily give it up Once you lose it you can’t regain it

What unifies us as Americans? Bound by common civic and political heritage Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights (documents) Ideas of liberty, popular sovereignty, equal justice under the law, majority rule (ideals) English language creates unity

Chapter 2-Roots of American Democracy

Influences from English Government Influenced by English government, settlers brought history of limited government English Traditions 1215 Magna Carta- placed limits on kings power, right to jury trial, equality under law Advisors to king eventually became Parliament (a representative, lawmaking body) 1689 English Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights Parliament supreme power Monarch had to summon Parliament regularly Parliament had power over money Monarch could not interfere with Parliament Guaranteed trial by jury Principle of habeas corpus- person could not be held in jail unless charged with specific crime

Other English Traditions Common Law No written laws in early England Custom had force of law System based on custom- common law Precedent Courts decisions became basis of laws Judges decided cases, used precedent (ruling from an earlier case that was similar) to make consistent ruling

Other English Traditions Equity Law- system of rules to resolve disputes on fairness Statutory Law- based on laws made by legislative bodies

Bringing English Heritage to America Representative Government 1600’s, 1700’s English settlers bring political traditions to colonies Charters- gave colonists right to est. governments, guaranteed colonists rights of Englishmen 1619 House of Burgesses 1st representative assembly in America 1620- Mayflower Compact set up government with majority rule, established direct democracy in America

Bringing English Heritage to America Town Meetings Tradition of direct democracy Citizens held meeting to discuss problems and issues Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Americas first written constitution Called for an assembly of elected leaders to make laws, called for the election of judges and governor

Bringing English Heritage to America Philosophical Influences Locke’s idea of natural rights- life, liberty, property The idea of the social contract Agreement among the people of a society to give up some of their freedom in exchange to have their natural rights protected by a government Separation of Powers government was divided into three branches so one group or person could not have too much power Ideas of the Enlightenment Human reason and universal laws (i.e. natural rights) applied to human government and society

Birth of a Democratic Nation Colonial Resistance to Rebellion Separated from Great Britain by an ocean, American developed tradition of self government By 1733 all 13 colonies had own government Governor, legislature Colonies began to make more of their own decisions w/o help from Britain Mid 1750’s British policies change, took a more active role in lives of American colonists

Birth of a Democratic Nation After French & Indian War, Britain places taxes on colonies to pay for war Stamp Act “No taxation without representation!” Colonies boycotted, led to beginning of end to British rule Declaratory Act (1766) British could make all decisions for colonies Townshend Acts (1767) Glass, tea, lead, paper Colonists boycott Tea Act of 1773 led to Boston Tea Party 1773 Coercive or Intolerable Acts- restricted legal rights, allowed British soldiers to search homes

Birth of a Democratic Nation Movement Toward Independence Colonists band together against Intolerable Acts First Continental Congress 1774, 12 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia establish political body to represent American interests and challenge British control Sent a document to King George III demanding rights of colonists be restored, extend boycott

Birth of a Democratic Nation King George responded with force War begins in Mass. Colonists question British loyalty People talk about independence 1775 Second Continental Congress Common Sense by Thomas Paine published, provided rationale for independence January 1776 called for complete independence

Birth of a Democratic Nation Congress appoints committee to write a document to announce the colonists independence Thomas Jefferson main writer Declaration of Independence – rights of individuals purpose of gov’t to protect people’s rights Gov’t based on people’s consent People entitled to overthrow gov’t Abuses of King George III July 4, 1776 approved by Continental Congress 1782 Americans defeat British

Inspiration for Ideas of Declaration of Independence Inspired by Enlightenment ideas, questioned traditional roles of government and society John Locke People had natural rights- life, liberty, property Gov’t has obligation to people Best government is limited Idea of popular sovereignty- freely elected government

The Nation’s First Governments States started to prepare new constitutions to replace their colonial charters All states established similar governments Most had a bicameral legislatures Like Parliament Membership of the houses selected differently All states had a governor Elected by legislature or citizens Job was to carry out laws Judges and courts To interpret laws Most had a Bill of Rights Guaranteed basic freedoms and protections

The Nation’s First Government Loosely unified under the Articles of Confederation, first constitution of the US Why? States could not do everything individually, needed a national government Established a system of cooperation among the independent states How it was set up Unicameral legislature, one vote per state Congress controlled the army, dealt with foreign countries – all with limited power Congress could ask states for money, but could not enforce anything States afraid to give Congress the power to enforce laws or tax

Weaknesses of Articles Lack of ability to raise money Congress had no power to collect taxes. no power to regulate trade no power to enforce its laws Lack of Central Power No single leader or group directed government policy. No national court system existed. Rules Too Rigid Congress could not pass laws without the approval of 9 states. The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all 13 states.

The Nation’s First Governments 1781 all 13 states had ratified the A of C US able to work through these weaknesses and win the Revolutionary War After the war U.S. had a large debt Borrowed money to fund war States had a large debt States taxed goods from other states and countries to raise money States taxed citizens Congress could do nothing about this

The Nation’s First Governments 1786 & 1787 – riots broke out b/c people afraid for their safety and property Shays Rebellion Farmer in debt due to heavy taxes Courts wanted to take farm Felt state should not be able to take or tax his farm Led an armed uprising of farmers Quick rebellion; yet noticed by the country Demonstrated weakness of articles, no federal or central power to deal with crisis 1787 – delegates sent again to Philadelphia to revise the A of C