Unit 1: A Tradition of Democracy 1. We the People 2. Foundations of Government 3. The United States Constitution 4. Rights and Responsibilities

Chapter 1: We the People 1. Civics in Our Lives 2. Who Are U.S. Citizens? 3. The American People Today

Vocabulary civics civics citizens citizens government government

Why Study Civics? Civics is the study of citizenship and government Civics is the study of citizenship and government Citizen is a legally recognized member of a country Citizen is a legally recognized member of a country Latin word “civis” Latin word “civis” Basis of Greek and Roman society Basis of Greek and Roman society

Being a Citizen In the Roman Republic citizens (not females) had the right to vote and a say in how the government was run In the Roman Republic citizens (not females) had the right to vote and a say in how the government was run Duties: paying taxes, attending assembly meetings, and serving in the Roman army Duties: paying taxes, attending assembly meetings, and serving in the Roman army

Citizens Rights and Responsibilities Differ from country to country and depend on type of government Differ from country to country and depend on type of government A government is the organizations, institutions, and individuals who exercise political authority over a group of people A government is the organizations, institutions, and individuals who exercise political authority over a group of people Some allow citizens to vote Some allow citizens to vote Most nations require taxes Most nations require taxes Israel- require all citizens, men and women, to serve in the military Israel- require all citizens, men and women, to serve in the military

Being an American Citizen Means more than the rights you have Means more than the rights you have Productive and active member of society Productive and active member of society Members of communities- villages, towns, and cities Members of communities- villages, towns, and cities Citizen of the U.S. and Pennsylvania Citizen of the U.S. and Pennsylvania Being EFFECTIVE- fulfilling your duties and responsibilities to the U.S. and PA Being EFFECTIVE- fulfilling your duties and responsibilities to the U.S. and PA

Being an Effective Citizen Fulfilling your duties and responsibilities to the U.S. and PA Fulfilling your duties and responsibilities to the U.S. and PA Need to know the purpose of government Need to know the purpose of government How the government works on the national, state, and local levels How the government works on the national, state, and local levels Get involved- make decisions on how much money you might earn, the roads you travel on, cost of doctor visits, and protections you have under the law Get involved- make decisions on how much money you might earn, the roads you travel on, cost of doctor visits, and protections you have under the law

American Values Equality, Liberty, and Justice for all people Equality, Liberty, and Justice for all people Foundation of many of our important rights and freedoms. Foundation of many of our important rights and freedoms. We are all guaranteed the same rights and freedoms, which are protected by the U.S Constitution and our laws We are all guaranteed the same rights and freedoms, which are protected by the U.S Constitution and our laws

Equality The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths…that all men are created equal” The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths…that all men are created equal” Everyone has the responsibility to seek an education or choose a job or career Everyone has the responsibility to seek an education or choose a job or career

Liberty The power of choice The power of choice Choose your religion, employment, residence, etc. Choose your religion, employment, residence, etc. Do NOT take them for granted Do NOT take them for granted millions of people around the world do not have these basic freedoms millions of people around the world do not have these basic freedoms

Justice Police help prevent others from violating our rights Police help prevent others from violating our rights The Courts have the power to punish those responsible for violating our rights The Courts have the power to punish those responsible for violating our rights CIVIC DUTY- Do your part to protect these rights and freedoms that have been handed down for over 200 years CIVIC DUTY- Do your part to protect these rights and freedoms that have been handed down for over 200 years

Qualities of a Good Citizen We cannot have government “by the people,” as Abraham Lincoln said, unless people participate. We cannot have government “by the people,” as Abraham Lincoln said, unless people participate. Voting in Elections Voting in Elections Elect candidates who best represent your views Elect candidates who best represent your views National, State, and Local National, State, and Local Expressing your opinion Expressing your opinion Tell officials what you need or disagree with Tell officials what you need or disagree with