Civics Chapter 1 Citizenship and Government in a Democracy

Government of the People, By the People, For the People What is civics? –The study of the rights and duties of citizens. Citizenship began with the beginning of civilizations –The ancient Greeks and Romans believed only white male land owners should be citizens –Even then, the more wealth and power you had, the more voice in government you had.

Government of the People, By the People, For the People –Does money or power mean that you are more intelligent or that you should have more of a say? –This concept continued on even into early American history Citizens (members of a civilization) have both rights and duties –Can you name some?

Government of the People, By the People, For the People Government –A government is a ruling authority for a group of people –Why do we need government? –Is government necessary? –What things should government provide? –What things should the government not provide?

Functions of Government Keeping Order and Providing Security Providing Public Services Guiding the Community –Public Policy –Budgets

Levels of Government The United States is a republican democracy. Our system is a federal system: –National Government –State Government –Local Government Each of these play a role in your life

Types of Government Dictatorship –Rule by one man or woman Aristocracy –Rule by a few wealthy men or women Democracy –Rule by all of the people

Types of Government Which type of government is the United States? –We’re actually a hybrid – we use representatives to speak for the people en masse. –Democracy Direct Democracy Representative Democracy

Principles of American Democracy 1.Consent of the Governed A.The power of the Government is derived from the people. 2.Americans themselves, through representatives, run the government. 3.The purpose of government is to make the United States a better place. 4.Every citizen is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Principles of American Democracy 5.All men and women are created equal before God and the Government 6.Majority Rule will be respected in matters of dispute. 7.Rule of Law A.All people are bound to the same law. 8.Limited Government A.Government may do only what we allow it to do.

Principles of American Democracy 9.Individual Rights A.The Government protects the rights of all individuals 10.Representative Government A.Leaders are elected to speak on our behalf

The Path to Citizenship How does one become an American Citizen? –Natural Born –Naturalization –Running / Swimming across the border

Naturalization Those who come to this country legally are called aliens (illegal aliens do not) The process of naturalization can take several years, involve many background checks, and the passage of examinations Roughly 675,000 aliens are accepted as citizens to the United States per year

Illegal Immigrants Between 7 and 20 million immigrants enter the U.S. illegally every year Fines for those who hire illegal immigrants range from $2-10,000 and jail time, but are rarely enforced Illegal immigrants cannot be refused medical treatment, welfare, and several other government-sponsored programs

American Diversity “E Pluribus Unum” –Out of many, one American truly is a nation of immigrants –What ethnic background do you come from? –How are cultures retained through the generations?

American Diversity Native Americans –The original American Indians came from Russia over the Bering Strait –These people lived undiscovered for approximately 10,000 to 15,000 years European Americans –Beginning as early as the 1200’s Vikings began to explore the “New World”

American Diversity –European influx between the 1500’s to 1600’s was primarily English, French, Spanish, and Welsh