1. An Overview of U.S. Government
Civics
Chapter 1 Section 1
CE.6b

2. What is Civics? The study of the rights and duties of citizens
Rights are things that citizens are entitled to
Duties are things that citizens are required to do
Responsibilities are things that good citizens should do

3. Levels of Government National Government – has the highest authority
State Government – next highest authority
Local Government – least authority

4. Functions of Government
Maintaining order
Providing services
Providing security
Managing the budget
Communicating with other communities
Making laws
Solving disputes
Etc.

5. Types of Government Dictatorship Democracy
Ruled by one person or a small group of people
Democracy
Ruled by the people

6. Types of Democracies Direct Representative
All of the citizens meet to discuss and vote on issues
Not very practical anymore
Existed in Athens 2,500 years ago
Representative
Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf
Representatives answer to the citizens who elected them

7. Guiding Question
What are the fundamental political principals that have shaped government in the United States?

8. Important Political Principles
Democracy – form of government in which the people rule
Representative Government – the people elect representatives to rule

9. Important Political Principles (continued)
Rule of Law – All people are bound by the law
Limited government – Government may only do the things that the people have given it the power to do
Consent of the governed – All governmental power comes from the people

10. How Citizens Influence Government
Voting
Contacting Elected Officials
Joining political parties

11. How to Become a U.S. Citizen

12. CE.3a Guiding Question:
How does an individual become a citizen?

13. What is a Citizen?
An individual with certain rights and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice, owes allegiance to that government

14. Means of Obtaining Citizenship
The 14th Amendment defines the 2 ways of becoming a US citizen as:
Birth
Naturalization

15. Citizenship through Naturalization
Must demonstrate knowledge of
American History
American Government
Must demonstrate the
ability to speak and write
English

16. Results of Immigration and Naturalization
Increased cultural diversity
Increased population growth