An Overview of U.S. Government Civics Chapter 1 Section 1 CE.6b

What is Civics? The study of the rights and duties of citizens Rights are things that citizens are entitled to Duties are things that citizens are required to do Responsibilities are things that good citizens should do

Levels of Government National Government – has the highest authority State Government – next highest authority Local Government – least authority

Functions of Government Maintaining order Providing services Providing security Managing the budget Communicating with other communities Making laws Solving disputes Etc.

Types of Government Dictatorship Democracy Ruled by one person or a small group of people Democracy Ruled by the people

Types of Democracies Direct Representative All of the citizens meet to discuss and vote on issues Not very practical anymore Existed in Athens 2,500 years ago Representative Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf Representatives answer to the citizens who elected them

Guiding Question What are the fundamental political principals that have shaped government in the United States?

Important Political Principles Democracy – form of government in which the people rule Representative Government – the people elect representatives to rule

Important Political Principles (continued) Rule of Law – All people are bound by the law Limited government – Government may only do the things that the people have given it the power to do Consent of the governed – All governmental power comes from the people

How Citizens Influence Government Voting Contacting Elected Officials Joining political parties

How to Become a U.S. Citizen

CE.3a Guiding Question: How does an individual become a citizen?

What is a Citizen? An individual with certain rights and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice, owes allegiance to that government

Means of Obtaining Citizenship The 14th Amendment defines the 2 ways of becoming a US citizen as: Birth Naturalization

Citizenship through Naturalization Must demonstrate knowledge of American History American Government Must demonstrate the ability to speak and write English

Results of Immigration and Naturalization Increased cultural diversity Increased population growth