Americans, Citizenship, and Governments

1. Americans, Citizenship, and Governments Chapter 1

2. A Diverse Population • 13% of all Americans were born in another country • These foreign-born people are immigrants. Immigrants move to another country permanently and for a variety of reasons. Poverty leads many immigrants to move in search of employment or a better life. War and violence can also often displace groups of people, causing them to move to survive.

3. American Diversity • The American population is very diverse. Americans come from many different places and backgrounds. • Members of a common ethnic group share a national, cultural, or racial background.

4. Values • The general principles, or belief, you use to make judgements are your values • Many of the values of the US are stated in the countries founding document, the Declaration of Independence.It states that “all men are created equal” and that they have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

5. The Office of Citizen • Ours is a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” • That means YOU! • We decide what the government will and will not do. • American government is based on the principle of popular sovereignty, which is the idea that the government receives its power from the people.

7. What is Civics? • Civics is the study of the duties and rights of citizens. • Because our country is based on the ideals of freedom, equality, and liberty, we as citizens have responsibilities to uphold. • We may not always like our duties, but it is important that we do them to preserve our nation.

8. Who is a Citizen? • A citizen is a person with certain rights and duties under a government. • A citizen is a person who, by birth or choices, owes allegiance to this nation. Anyone born in the United States automatically becomes a citizen at birth.

9. Who is a Citizen? • Individuals born in the United States are citizens at birth. • An individual who has at least one parent who is a US citizen when he/she is born is a US citizen. • A person who naturalized is a US citizen. • A person whose parents were naturalized before he/she turns 18 is a US citizen.

10. Rights of Citizens • The following are all rights of American citizens: • Right to vote and hold elected office • Right to say what you think in speech or in writing • Right to practice your own religion • Right to a fair trial

12. Naturalization • Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. • Before someone is naturalized, he or she is an alien. • An alien is a citizen of one country living in another country. • The US does accept some citizens as refugees. • Naturalization Process Page 57

13. The Naturalized Citizen • Naturalized citizens have the same rights as someone who was born here EXCEPT a naturalized citizen cannot be President or Vice President

14. Duties of Citizens • Obeying the laws • Defending the nation • Serving on a jury or as a witness in court • Paying taxes • Attending school

15. Obeying the Law • Rules keep things running in an orderly way • Formal rules are called laws • There are consequences for breaking laws. • The more serious the illegal act committed, the more severe the consequences.

17. The Rule of Law • NO individual—even the PRESIDENT is above the law! • This concept of a government of laws, rather than men and women, is called the rule of law. • Decisions must be made on laws, not personal opinion

18. Defending the Nation • It is our duty to help defend our country • When you turn 18 you can volunteer to become a member of the armed service. • In the past, our country has used a draft to conscript men into service during major wars such as the Vietnam War.

20. Serving on a Jury • Our constitution guarantees that anyone accused of a crime may have the case decided by a jury of peers—a group of ordinary citizens who hear the case and decide whether the accused person is innocent or guilty. • If summoned for jury duty, you are obligated to report to the determined location and participate in the jury if selected.

21. Serving as a Witness • Witnesses are people who have seen events related to the crime of who have special information that may help determine the guilt or innocence of the person on trial

22. Paying Taxes • You pay sales tax on everything you buy from Wal-Mart, McDonalds, etc. • Once you have jobs you will pay taxes on your income. This is called an income tax. • Paying taxes is what keeps the government running and funds various government projects. Roads and public education are both paid for by taxes.

25. Attending School • You come to school to fulfill your duty as a citizen • Society depends on schools to make sure that young people LIKE YOU are prepared for the future. • Attending school is also your right as a citizen. In some places in the world, people are unable to attend school or even forbidden.

27. Responsibilities of Citizens • Responsibilities are fulfilled by choice. • What are your responsibilities at home? • What are your responsibilities at school or elsewhere? • People cannot be forced to handle their responsibilities. For example, your teacher is unable to FORCE you to study. Doing so, however, has definite benefits…like doing well on a test!

28. Responsibilities of Citizens:Working Toward the Common Good • Common Good: The well-being of all members of society • Acting in ways that protect the rights and freedoms of other Americans.

29. Responsibilities of Citizens:Voting • The right to vote is one of the basic rights of American citizens • President • House of Representatives • Senate • City council • Mayor • Public Issues

31. Responsibilities of Citizens:Holding Government Office • Accepts the responsibility of learning about issues and trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of the people they represent

32. Responsibilities of Citizens:Participating in Election Campaigns • Helping the candidate (or person running for office) with his/her campaign.

33. Responsibilities of Citizens:Influencing Government • Persuade government to take action regarding a case you believe in.

34. Responsibilities of CitizensServing the Community • Doing what we can to make our communities better places to live. • Volunteerism is the practice of offering your time and services to others without being paid. • Example: volunteering at a soup kitchen or animal shelter, or taking part in Habitat for Humanity, in which volunteers help build homes for people who need them.

35. The Role of Government • To protect our rights. • Without it, Everything would be chaos • What if school had no rules?

37. The Role of Government • 1. Keep the Peace • Makes and enforces laws • Settles disputes • 2.Protecting the Country • Military • Treaties

38. The Role of Government • 3. Providing Necessary Services • Road work, Building schools • 4. Maintaining Other Institutions • FEMA, Medicaid

39. Forms of Government: Monarchy • A form of government in which all or most of the power is in the hands of one individual, the monarch • Hereditary • Used to be VERY common. Now…not so much.

40. Forms of Government: Dictatorship • A form of government controlled by one person, called a dictator • Different from a monarch because the power is usually taken by force, or stolen…and the dictator is almost always a complete jerk. • Usually military leaders.

41. Forms of Government: Democracy • A form of government in which the power is shared by all of the people • Literally means “Government by the people” • Voting • US was the first modern democracy

43. The End