Part 1: What is an American Citizen Unit I: Citizenship Part 1: What is an American Citizen
Civics The study of the rights and duties of citizens.
What is a Citizen? A member of a community who owes loyalty to a government and is entitled to protection from it.
What does citizenship entail? The rights and duties of members of a state.
Duty Something we have to do
Responsibility Something we ought to do
Duties and Responsibilities Register for the draft Serve Jury Duty Attend School (up to 16) Pay Taxes Obey Laws Practice Toleration Be informed and vote Attend School (>16) Participate in community and gov. Respect rights and property of others Volunteer
Who are the citizens of the United States? E Pluribus unum – Out of many, one
The New Colossus
Immigrant A person who moves permanently to another country
Immigration The introduction of new people into a population
Immigration to America
Reasons for Immigration Religious Political Wealth Forced Opportunity
Religious To be able to practice their religious beliefs without fear of persecution
Political To escape the injustices of despotism (authoritarian governments)
Wealth In search of precious metals, cash crops and land
Forced Millions of Africans were forced to migrate as a cheap source of labor (slavery)
Opportunity It was an opportunity for a new life for many
Impact of Immigration
Diversity The different ethnic, religious and cultural traditions that make up the American population.
The Great American Melting Pot People of different cultures blended together to make one American culture
The American “Tossed Salad” America is made up of many different cultures that remain distinct but contribute to American diversity.
Immigration Attitudes Today
Immigration Attitudes Historically
How does one become and American Citizen? Native Born Born on American soil If one parent is an American
How does one become an American Citizen 2 Through the Naturalization Process – the steps that someone who is not a citizen take to become one USCIS – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
The Naturalization Process Sign Declaration of Intent Document saying want to become US citizen filed with USCIS Live in US Live in US 5 years (3 if married to US citizen or in military) Interview with USCIS Makes sure requirements have been met Examination Test on reading, writing and speaking English. Also history and government of US Oath of Allegiance Swears loyalty to US above all others
Losing Citizenship Denaturalization – lying during the naturalization process Expatriation – giving up ones citizenship by becoming citizen of another country Punishment for a Crime – federal crimes that involve extreme disloyalty (i.e. Treason)
What is an alien? A noncitizen Legal Aliens – noncitizens who are in the country legally Illegal Aliens – noncitizens who came into US illegally
Immigration Act of 1990
Immigration Act of 1990 Emphasis on people with particular skills, talents, or money to invest.
What is the difference between the rights of legal aliens and US citizens? Hold jobs Own property Attend public schools Receive gov. services Pay taxes Given protection Legal Aliens cannot: Vote in elections Run for office Serve on juries Be without identification cards
Unit 1 Part II: The Government and the People
The Ruling authority for a community Government The Ruling authority for a community
Why do communities need government? To make it possible for people to live together peacefully
Thomas Hobbes Scottish political philosopher (1588-1679)
Life without government would be “nasty, brutish, and short.”
What do governments do?
Provide Laws
Provide Security
Provide Services
Guide the Community Help shape public policy – the course of action to achieve community goals
Levels of Government National Government The government of the entire country
State Government Decides matters for people in the state
Local Government Counties, cities and towns Closest gov. to the people
In your chart place the following under the category they are best suited for: Forsyth County Board of Commissioners State Mental Health Care The United States Congress The US Military Garbage collection Police Department State highway patrol Interstate Highways Inner state Highways Airport Screeners Forsyth County Library Keep NC Beautiful Campaign Hanging Rock State Park Polo Park North Carolina Laws Water Treatment Street Lights State Prisons Federal Prisons County Jail National Health Care Social Security Minimum Wage Laws Revitalize Downtown Plans City dog leash laws Veterans Administration Animal Control Beach Erosion Control Yellowstone National Part
Types of Government
Democratic Government Rule by the people (majority rule)
Direct Democracy All citizens vote to determine all issues
Representative Democracy/Republic People elect others to represent them in the decisions of a government with power limited by law
Constitutional Monarchy/Democracy A government with a hereditary ruler whose power is limited by law (a Constitution)
Authoritarian Government Government power is held by individual or group not accountable to the people
Absolute Monarchy Hereditary ruler had unlimited authority
Dictatorships/Totalitarianism/Autocracy The government has almost total control over the people’s lives. Power usually taken by force
Aristocracy Rule by a upper class (Aristocrats)
Theocracy Rule by religion
Oligarchy Rule by a few
Anarchy Belief that best government is no government
Principles of American Democracy
Rule of Law All people are bound by the law
Limited Government The government can only do the things that the people have given it power to do.
Consent of the Governed American citizens are the source of all government power Popular Sovereignty – “The People Rule”
Individual Rights Individual rights, even of those not popular with the majority, are protected by the government.
Representative Government People elect leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf.
Home Work Complete the Practice Test on page 28-29 of your text. You only need to do questions 1-12
Ticket Out the Door What is the difference between a Democracy and a Democratic Republic?