1. What is Civics?
-Civics
-Study of Citizenship and Government
-Citizen
community member who owes loyalty to the government and is entitled to protection from it.
-Government
The ruling authority for a community.

2. The Common Good
--The ultimate role of the government is to do the greatest good to the greatest number of people without harming others

3. Why We Need Gov’t?
-Make laws
Help prevent conflicts and settle disputes
-Keep Order & Security
By using police and a court system
-Provide Services
Libraries, schools, parks, hospitals…
-prevent anarchy
-the absence of any form of government

4. Levels of Government
-National
“The government”
-highest level of authority
-Provides the basic framework for citizenship
-State
-Local
County
City

5. Levels of Government
-National
-State
Makes laws for that individual state
-when in that state citizens from other states must obey the laws
-Local
County
City

6. Levels of Government
-National
-State
-Local
“closest to the people”
County
ISS vs. CMS
City
Gun laws in NYC vs Lincoln, Nebraska

7. Democracy
-republics-- rule by the consent of the people
(Synonym for democracy)
-democracy
-direct democracy-a form of government where each citizens has an actual say in the affairs of government
-representative democracy-a form of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them

8. Democracy
What type do we have in the United States?
Why?
-democracy
-direct democracy-a form of government where each citizens has an actual say in the affairs of government
-representative democracy-a form of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them

9. Monarchy
-monarchy-
-form of government led by a king or a queen
-absolute monarchy
Government has unlimited power to rule as they wish.
-limited monarchy
King is more of a figurehead with a legislature making most of the decisions for the country. (England today)

10. Socialist
-socialist-
Type of government where individuals and government share ownership in major businesses and government takes on a greater role in citizen’s lives.

11. Communist
-communist-
Type of government where the government owns and controls all aspects of life for its citizens

12. Authoritarian
-dictatorship-Type of government that is usually controlled by one person who allows very little freedom or opposition
(Saddam Hussein, Iraq)
-totalitarianism-Form of government where little freedom or opposition is allowed
-oligarchy-Government that is ruled by a small group of people
Oligos “a few”
Archo “to rule”

13. Type of government that is ruled by religious leaders
-theocracy-
Type of government that is ruled by religious leaders
Vatican City
Ecclesiastical, or sacerdotal- monarchical government.

14. American Population
-late 1700’s
less than 4 million people
-today
Over 300 million
-what caused the growth?
immigration
Mainly English
African Slaves
Western Europeans
Eastern Europeans
Latin Americans
birthrate/Life Span/Technology

15. African Immigrants Diverse Population did not come willingly (slaves)
estimated 500,000 Africans were brought to America for this purpose
WE ARE NOT A…….
Diverse Population
many different ethnic backgrounds, but many people do not identify themselves w/ one ethnic group

16. Citizenship
-What is a citizen?
-2 ways to become a citizen (14th Amendment)
1. born a citizen
-born anywhere in any part of the United States
-If your parents are citizens no matter where you were born
-possible to be a dual citizen at birth?

17. Naturalization
-naturalization
-5 requirements
-file an intent form
Statement that you want to become a US citizen.
-live in U.S. for 5 years
If married to a citizen the wait is only 3 years
-be 18 years old

18. Naturalization
-naturalization
-5 requirements
-file an intent form
-live in U.S. for 5 years
-be 18 years old
-take naturalization test
Interview with agency and take an exam. Then a decision is made by the USCIS.
-take citizenship oath of allegiance to the United States.
-if they have children under 18 they also become a US citizen.

20. Can you lose your citizenship?
Only the federal govt can take it away- and it is rare.
Citizens may choose to give up the their citizenship. (you may have dual citizenship- be a citizen of 2 countries)
How do you lose citizenship?
Denaturalization- cheating the process
Punishment for a crime- treason, trying to overthrow the govt., rebellion

21. Legal Aliens
-Legal alien
Resident- established permanent residence but does not plan to become citizen. (Green Card)
2. Nonresident- stay for a short specified time. EX. Journalist
Visa
Both MUST carry ID at all times
Immigration Act of 1990
We now want people who have particular skills, talents, or money to invest in our economy
-immigrant
Person who moves permanently to a new county

22. What ever happened to give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free?

23. Legal Aliens
-have written permission to be in the U.S.
Visa / Green Card- Formal permission for a non-citizen to be in a nation
-can’t vote or hold public office
-have same legal rights and protection from the government as citizens

24. Illegal Aliens
-Illegal Aliens
Estimated over 15 million in US today
-can not do anything legally in the U.S.
vote, hold office, work
-can be deported if found
-The process of being expelled from a nation
-why would someone come here if they would be an illegal alien???

25. Transforming America Census is a population count done every 10 years.
mid 1800’s people began moving from rural areas to cities
separation of blue collar and white collar workers
shift to service economy from a manufacturing economy (provide things for others as opposed to manufacturing things)

26. Our Changing Identity Current changes: We are getting older
We are getting more education
Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing population group

27. E pluribus Unum (on back of coins)…means “Out of many, one.”
- reminds us that the diverse citizens of the U.S. join together to create one strong nation
- linked by shared values & experiences
- all of us descended from someone who immigrated here (land bridge)

28. Homework for Tonight
Would you classify America as a Nation of Immigrants? Why or why not?
Should we be? Why or why not?

29. Duties as Citizens
Things We Must Do

30. Obey the Laws

31. Pay Your Taxes

32. Defend the Nation

33. Serve in Court

34. Go to School

35. Responsibilities
Things We Should Do

36. Be Informed

37. Vote in Elections

38. Participate

39. Respect for Property

40. Respect for Others

41. Duties as Citizens
Things We Must Do

42. Obey the Laws

43. Pay Your Taxes

44. Defend the Nation

45. Serve in Court

46. Go to School

47. Responsibilities
Things We Should Do

48. Be Informed

49. Vote in Elections

50. Participate

51. Respect for Property

52. Respect for Others

53. Census
-Census
-Started in 1790
needed to know population to determine representation in Congress
-completed every ten years (years ending with a 0)
-asks many other questions to find out information about the lives of Americans (confidential)
-Will result in more $$ for your area.

54. Nation of Immigrants
-All Americans are either immigrants or the descendants of an immigrant
-Native Americans
-Spanish
-English, French, Africans
-Other Europeans
-Asians
-Latinos

55. Immigration Limits
-mid 1800’s some discrimination begins against immigrants
-fear of jobs and land being lost by those already here
-1920’s saw National Origins Act which limited immigration based on nationality aimed at limiting the number of eastern Europeans and Asians
-1960 saw modern quota system implemented (millions apply for naturalization yearly-only 700K-900K accepted)
-refugees are the exception to the immigration quotas
People who have fled their homes because of war or famine

56. Population Growth
-Early population growth
-large influx of immigrants
-> Coming for a chance at a better life—”American Dream”—
-naturally high birthrates
-> Need help on the farms
-Today
-declining birthrate
Steady decline starting in early 1970’s
-fastest growing part of our population-> elderly and immigrants

57. Where We Live
-4 great shifts in our population
1.mid 1800’s saw people move from farms(rural) to cities (urban)
Went where the jobs were.
2.late 1800’s , early 1900’s saw African Americans moving into northern areas
1865- End of Civil
“Great Migration”
3.late 1900’s saw shift toward the south and southwest U.S.
4.late 1900’s saw move toward living in suburbs of cities

58. Changing Nation
-The United States changes with every Census
-Language barriers
bi-lingual areas
-cultural barriers
The more immigrants the more diverse the population becomes.
-religious barriers
-aging population
“Baby Boomers” becoming elderly

59. Members of Many Groups
-Many Americans play roles in most of these groups
-Family
-Friends
-Religion
-Education
-Economics
-Government

60. Values We Share
-American Dream
-Legacy of freedoms
-Government by the People
-equality of all persons
-Justice
-Imperfect Society in reality
Still the best in the world?