What are the rights and responsibilities of citizenship Topic # 20 What are the rights and responsibilities of citizenship Lesson Goal: Students will be able to explain: the meaning of citizenship and how one becomes a citizen of the United States. Some of the rights of citizens and the responsibilities that accompany those rights.

RAP: Create the following chart in your notebook Amendment 1: Freedom of Speech, Religion, Assembly, and Press Amendment 2: Right to bear arms Amendment 3: Quartering of Soldiers Amendment 4: Search and Arrest Amendment 5: Rights in criminal cases (includes jury) Amendment 6: Right to a fair trial Amendment 7: Rights in civil cases Amendment 8: Bail, Fines, and punishment Amendment 9: Rights retained by the people Amendment 10: States' rights

What is a citizen? A legal member of a self-governing community, such as a state or nation. In the U.S., there are no classes of citizens. Citizenship does not depend on Your race Your gender Your ethnic origin

How does a person become a citizen? Every person born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen Every person born to parents who are U.S. citizens is a U.S. citizen even if not born in the U.S. A permanent resident, a person legally permitted to live here, may apply for citizenship.

What must a permanent resident do to become a citizen? A permanent resident may apply for citizenship: Must have been living here legally for five years. Pass a test to show that he or she understands the history of the U.S. and the Constitution. Must be of good moral character and demonstrate the ability to speak English. The minor child of a naturalized citizen becomes a citizen of the U.S. when the parents do.

What are the rights of citizens? Personal rights - Your freedom to associate with whomever one pleases on conscience and religion on expression for creativity to have children to live where one chooses to have privacy to travel

What are the rights of citizens? Political rights - Your rights to participate in the political process: Due process of law and fair procedures Equal protection under the law Freedom to examine the conduct of public officials Freedom of expression for political purposes Freedom of political association and assembly Freedom to seek and hold public office Freedom to serve on juries Freedom to vote in free, fair and regular elections

What are the rights of citizens? Economic rights - Your rights to earn a living and to acquire and transfer property or to produce goods and services: Freedom to acquire, use, and sell or give away property Freedom to choose one’s work Freedom to enter into lawful contracts Freedom to establish and operate a business Freedom to join professional associations and labor unions.

Rights It is reasonable and fair to place limits on most rights: limited in certain situations. Limited when there is a conflict with other rights, or important values and interests They are not absolute. Most people agree that the only right that cannot be limited is the freedom of belief.

Responsibilities of a Citizen Citizens do not always agree on their responsibilities.

Responsibilities of a Citizen Personal responsibilities: Accepting the consequences of one’s actions Adhering to moral principles Behaving in a civil manner Considering the rights and interests of others Supporting one’s family Taking care of one’s self

Responsibilities of a Citizen Civil responsibilities: Being informed about political issues Voting and deciding how to vote Keeping watch over political leaders and governmental agencies Taking appropriate action if they do not follow constitutional principles Obeying the laws

Responsibilities of a Citizen Civil responsibilities (continued): Participating in civic groups Paying taxes Respecting the rights of others Serving as a juror Serving in the armed forces

Citizens Must be aware of their rights Learn to use their rights responsibly Personal and civic responsibility is necessary in a self-governing, free, and just society.

Unjust laws You have the right to try to have laws changed. However, you are held responsible until the law is changed. Some believe that if a law is unjust, the citizen has no responsibility to obey it. (civil disobedience) There are consequences for disobeying a law: Paying fines and/or Jail

WIO There are several famous examples of people who have willfully disobeyed a law they believed was unjust. You may Explain the situation. Include: Who was involved. What law was deemed unjust? Was the law changed? How do you agree or disagree with the situation?