1. Chapter 15 Citizenship in the Community
American Civics
4/22/2017
Chapter 15 Citizenship in the Community
Section 1: Kinds of Communities
Section 2: Purposes of Communities
Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities
Chapter 15

2. Section 1: Kinds of Communities
The Main Idea
There are many kinds of communities. Some are located in transportation centers or farming regions. Others grow where there are jobs in factories or offices. Communities may be small or large, but all of them take advantage of their surroundings.
Reading Focus
What factors affect the location of communities?
What types of communities exist in rural areas?
What types of communities exist in urban areas?

3. Transportation, resources, and climate affect a community’s location:
Section 1: Kinds of Communities
Transportation, resources, and climate affect a community’s location:
Early settlers chose locations with natural advantages for their livelihood: fertile river valleys, harbors, hydroelectric power, and good climates.
Businesses and trade developed at crossroads and led to new communities.
Waterways offer ports, water, and transportation.

4. Section 1: Kinds of Communities
Transportation, resources, and climate affect a community’s location: (continued)
1840s—Railroads connected regions, and new inland communities developed.
Auto travel has led to communities along highways.
Communities grow where natural resources can be developed.
Good climates promote recreation and enable farming in certain regions.

5. Rural Communities Section 1: Kinds of Communities
Rural farm communities—America’s smallest communities; approximately 2 million farms in the United States stretch across the country
Small country towns—population of less than 2,500; where farmers buy supplies and market crops; have movies, shops, and post offices
Recently, some businesses have established themselves in rural areas.

6. Urban Areas Section 1: Kinds of Communities Have 2,500 or more people
1990s—three quarters of Americans lived in urban areas
Today suburbs are growing faster, and some cities have grown smaller

7. Metropolitan area Section 1: Kinds of Communities
A large city and its surrounding towns and suburbs
261 metropolitan areas in the United States
Some metropolitan areas have turned into a megalopolis—an area so large it forms a continuous urban chain. Example: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

8. SECTION 1
Question: What are examples and characteristics of urban and metropolitan areas?
Urban Area
Metropolitan Area
large city
unclear where city ends and the surrounding towns and suburbs begin
village
town
borough
city
population of
2,500 or more

9. Section 2: Purposes of Communities
The Main Idea
People live together in communities for many reasons. Communities provide people with ways to communicate with one another and relax in their free time. Communities also provide services and local governments that help residents make the most of their resources and labor.
Reading Focus
What kinds of values do communities teach?
What types of services do communities provide?

10. Methods of communication in communities:
Section 2: Purposes of Communities
Methods of communication in communities:
Conversation with other members
Telephones, , Internet, radios, and television
Writing letters and notes
Newspapers
Books and magazines

11. Communities help people enjoy their lives:
Section 2: Purposes of Communities
Communities help people enjoy their lives:
Provide recreational facilities to encourage health, diversion, cultural learning, and relaxation.
Promote natural assets like climate and location.
Pooling resources and labor improves the quality of life.
Public safety and education are provided by communities.

12. Local communities need laws and regulations to
Section 2: Purposes of Communities
Local communities need laws and regulations to
help citizens avoid conflict.
maintain peace and order.
provide forums for addressing problems and concerns.

13. Why Communities Need Laws and Regulations
SECTION 2
Question: Why do local communities need laws and regulations?
Why Communities Need Laws and Regulations
to maintain peace
to maintain order

14. Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities
The Main Idea
Communities provide many benefits and services to their residents. But citizens also need to contribute their energy and efforts if they want their communities to remain welcoming and healthy. Communities depend on cooperation among people.
Reading Focus
How can citizens help their communities face challenges?
Why is volunteering important to help improve the communities in which we live?

15. Challenges facing America’s communities:
Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities
Challenges facing America’s communities:
Limited opportunities for young people
Drug use, crime, and family management problems
Pollution, traffic jams, and downtown decay
Faltering schools
Museum and park maintenance

16. Volunteer groups improve our communities:
Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities
Volunteer groups improve our communities:
Aid sick people, those in poverty, the elderly, and the disabled
Raise money for charity
Clean up neighborhoods and address community needs
Permanent groups include firefighters and hospital volunteers.
Large national groups: League of Women Voters, American Cancer Society, and Volunteers of America

17. Good citizenship is related to developing good communities:
Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities
Good citizenship is related to developing good communities:
Enjoy a community’s benefits and contribute to the community in return.
Take pride in your community and make it the best it can be.

18. How Good Citizenship Relates to Developing Good Communities
SECTION 3
Question: How does good citizenship relate to developing good communities?
How Good Citizenship Relates to Developing Good Communities
When citizens fulfill their duties and responsibilities
the quality of life in communities improves.

19. Chapter 15 Wrap-Up
1. How do natural factors and transportation influence the development of communities?
2. What are the “two rural Americas,” and how do they differ?
3. How do people communicate in communities?
4. What roles do laws and regulations play in communities?
5. In what ways are volunteer organizations essential to a community’s success?
6. What problems do communities in the United States face?