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Published byHilary Copeland Modified over 9 years ago
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Gaining & Losing Citizenship
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Roots of Citizenship O Idea of citizenship dates back more than 2500 years to ancient Greece and Rome. O Only property-holding men could be citizens. O Citizens’ duties: taxpayer, soldier. O 1700s brought new ideas: Citizenship defined as belonging to a nation; citizens gave their governments power by their consent, or agreement, to participate in those governments.
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U.S. Citizenship O For many years, U.S. citizenship was limited to white males. O African-American men granted citizenship in 1868 (14 th Amendment). O Women granted citizenship in 1920 (19 th Amendment). O Native Americans granted citizenship in 1924 (Indian Citizenship Act).
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Becoming A Citizen Today O Not based on wealth, gender, race or religion. O Two ways: 1) By birth or 2) by naturalization. O Natural-born citizen: Born in the 50 states or D.C. O Also, if you are born in an American territory (ex. Puerto Rico) or on a U.S. military base overseas. O Born in another country? Both parents must be U.S. citizens or one must be a U.S. citizen who has lived here. O Dual Citizenship: Citizen of the U.S. and the country you were born in.
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Getting Naturalized O 18 or older. O A lawful permanent resident for 5 years. O Able to read, write and speak English. O Good moral character. O An understanding of U.S. civics. O 1 st step: Apply to U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Services (USCIS). O 2 nd step: Take a citizenship exam.
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Losing Citizenship O Expatriation: Becoming a naturalized citizen of another country. O Denaturalization: What happens when someone if found to have lied on their citizenship application. O Being convicted of certain crimes (treason or rebellion) O Only the federal government can grant citizenship or take it away, but states can deny some privileges (ex. Felons can’t vote).
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What does it mean (or what would it mean) to you to be a citizen of the United States?
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