1. Citizenship In the Nation
BSA Troop 387
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

2. Explain what Citizenship in the Nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties and obligations of a responsible and active American Citizen.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

3. 1. (continued) Rights Religious freedom Assembly Bear arms
Illegal search / due process under law
Own property
Press / media
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

4. 1. (continued) Duties Vote Obey the laws
Be active and informed on national affairs
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

5. 1. (continued) Obligations Obey Laws
Show respect for holders of public office
Know our history
Know how our system of government works
Vote
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

6. 2. Do two of the following
Visit a place listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places
Tour your state capitol building or the U S Capitol.
Tour a Federal Facility
Choose a national monument that interests you
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

7. 3. Watch the evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

8. 3. (continued) Examples of “Major” national newspapers Washington Post
New York Times
Chicago Tribune
Los Angeles Sun-Times
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
USA Today
Knoxville News-Sentinel & Kingsport Times-News do not fit this category
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

9. 4. Discuss the following documents with your counselor
4. Discuss the following documents with your counselor. Tell how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.
Declaration of Independence
Preamble to the Constitution
The Constitution
Bill of Rights
Amendments to the Constitution
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

10. Declaration of Independence
Written record of why the colonies were revolting against British rule
Gave details of British oppressions
Written record of “American” beliefs regarding government
Quiver or wall rack is recommended. Or, hang quiver on wall.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

11. Preamble to the Constitution
Explains the reasons for the Constitution and summarizes the responsibilities (and limits) of the new Federal system of government.
Emphasizes that the government gets it’s power from the consent of the governed (“We the People…..do ordain and establish”)
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

12. The Constitution Blueprint for the new Federal system of government.
Outlines functions, duties, responsibilities of each branch of Government
Details election procedures
Not ratified by the States until first 10 amendments (the “Bill of Rights”) were included.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

13. The Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
Spells out rights of citizens and limits on government not explicitly spelled out in the Constitution
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

14. The first 10 amendments Freedom of religion, Press & expression
Right to bear arms
Quartering of soldiers
Search and seizure
Trial and punishment
Right to speedy trial & confrontation of witnesses
Trial by jury in civil cases
Cruel & unusual punishment
Construction of Constitution
Powers of States and people
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

15. Amendments to the Constitution (highlights)
Abolition of Slavery (#13)
Race not a bar to voting (#15)
Prohibition (#18)
Women able to vote (#19)
Prohibition repealed (#21)
Voting age set at 18 (#26)
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

16. 5. List the six functions of Government as noted in the Preamble to the Constitution
Form a more perfect Union
Establish Justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote general welfare
Secure blessings of Liberty
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

17. 6. With counselor’s approval; choose a speech of national historical importance.
Examples of appropriate speeches:
Gettysburg Address
Washington’s First and second Inaugural speeches
Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech
Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream”
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

18. 6. (continued) Do the following for the speech you have chosen
Find out about the author
Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given
How does it apply to American Citizens today?
Choose a sentence or two that has special meaning to you and explain why.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

19. 7. Name the three branches of the Federal Government
7. Name the three branches of the Federal Government. Explain the function of each. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch, explain the system of checks and balances
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

20. The Three Branches of Federal Government
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

21. The Executive Branch The office of the President
Handles leadership, policy.
Like the President of a company
Citizen involvement is primarily the election of representatives to the electoral college to choose the president.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

22. The Legislative Branch
The “Lawmakers”
The Senate
The House of Representatives
Enacts legislation.
Citizens elect their senators and representatives to be their “proxies” to the federal government.
Senators represent States
Representatives answer to specific districts in each State
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

23. Judicial Branch Supreme Court Interprets Constitution
Resolves disputes from lower – level courts
Citizens do not have direct influence or involvement in this branch.
Judges are appointed by President and approved by Congress
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

24. System of “Checks and Balances”
No single branch has monopoly on power.
Each branch can question / change / overturn decisions or rulings made by the other branches
Citizens can make changes through the ballot box if they do not like how government is working
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

25. 8. Name your two Senators Currently In January Bob Corker
Lamar Alexander
In January
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

26. 8. (cont.) Name the representative from your Congressional District
Currently
Phil Roe
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

27. 8. (cont.) Write a letter about a national issue of concern to you and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your views with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor.
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019

28. Addresses for letter in requirement 8
Senators
Bob Corker
185 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC
Lamar Alexander
455 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC
Representative
Congressman Phil Roe
419 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC
BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger
2/4/2019