Introduction to Government Unit One

The purpose? To rule a country and its people

Types of Governments Autocracy Controlled by a single individual Oligarchy Small, powerful groups are in control Democracy More people participate in the governing process and have some influence

Who is in charge? Totalitarian Government: those in authority have complete control and unlimited power Authoritarian Government: power is limited by a group (may be the military or a religious group) Constitutional Government: a framework of written laws limits government officials

DEMOCRACY

The citizens give their government the authority to rule Comes from two Greek words: demos (the people) and kratos (rule or power) True or False: The founding fathers didn’t like democracies. True—they felt no one would be in charge and a mob mentality would result.

Types of Democracies Direct Each citizen has a direct and equal say in the government Representative The people elect certain individuals to represent their opinions, concerns, and desires A republic is another name for a representative democracy

What do we have? A Democracy A Republic A Representative Democracy A Constitutional Democracy

Our Ideals Our government works because the citizens of our country believe in certain ideals—that is, we have agreed to live by the following: We accept majority rule. We agree that the rights of the people who were in the minority must be protected. We want to be ruled by laws, not powerful individuals. We want freedom of speech—that is, we want to be allowed to question and criticize our elected officials for the purpose of improving our government. We want our government to serve the people, not the other way around. We call this popular sovereignty.

Federalism The division of political power between the national government and the individual state governments.

WHO IS THE TYPICAL AMERICAN?

The American Identity We’ve moved from being a melting pot to being a cultural mosaic

Immigration European Americans began travelling to the New World in the 1600s (mostly white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants) Africans were brought to the colonies as slaves immediately Hispanics settled in the South and Southwest in the 1800s Asian Americans settled the west coast in the 1800s Exclusion Laws existed between to keep them from immigrating

Today’s Population We’re a diverse nation with the same goal: enjoying the opportunities afforded to Americans Our last three censuses showed changes… 1990 Census2000 Census2010 Census Non-white20%25%28% Hispanic9%12%16% Largest MinorityAfrican Americans Hispanic Americans

THE MEANING OF CITIZENSHIP

Who is a Citizen? Anyone born in the United States or in one of its territories (even if the parents aren’t citizens) At least one of the parents was a citizen at the time of birth (no matter where the baby was born) A person who has gone through the process of becoming a citizen Any child under 18 whose parent went through this process

The Naturalization Process Step One: Application Step Two: Examination—must prove the following Age 18 or older Legal resident of country for 5 years, state for 3 months Good moral character Loyal to the U.S. Constitution Able to read, write, and speak English Knowledge of U.S. history and form of government Step Three: Final Hearing Takes oath of loyalty in court

Naturalized citizens have all the rights and duties of citizens by birth except: the right to be President or Vice President

Our Rights as Citizens What we can do To vote and hold office To say what we think in speech and in writing To practice our own religion To have a fair trial And tons more!

Our Duties as Citizens What we have to do Obey the laws Defend the nation Men must register with Selective Service at age 18 May choose to be a conscientious objector Serve as a juror or witness in court Pay taxes Attend school

Our Responsibilities as Citizens What we should do Work toward the common good Vote Hold office Participate in campaigns Influence government Serve the community