1. The United States: Americans, Citizenship, and Governments Chapter 3

2. Being an American Lesson 1
Essential Questions:
What are the characteristics that make up a culture?
It Matters Because:
The United States is enriched by its diversity and unified by its shared values .

3. A History of Immigration
United States people share many traditions
Parades, 4th of July, Thanksgiving
13% of all Americans were not born in the United States
Immigrants- people who move permanently to a new country.
98% of Americans are descendants of immigrants from all over the world

4. A History of Immigration
Original North Americas came from Asia
Beringia –natural bridge that once connected Asia and North America 20,000 years ago
Native Americas today
Spanish started coming in the early 1500’s
Earliest settlers lived in Florida
Later in the Southwest
1600’s migration to North America
French- in Canada
Netherlands (Dutch) –to New Amsterdam (New York)
Started farms along the Hudson River
English –along east coast of North America
Late 1600’s and people arrived from
Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland
These immigrants created the 13 colonies
Eventually the colonies became the United States

5. A History of Immigration
Some people came here by force
African slaves
From 1860 to 1890, 10 million people migrated to America from Western and Northern Europe
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden
From 1890 to 1924 they came from southern and eastern Europe
22 million people arrived
Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia
Late 1900s
A larger share came from Asia and Latin America

6. Ongoing Transformation
In Millions
1830 to 1930 population growth
From 12 million to 12o million
40 million were immigrants
Brought different cultures
Made the United States diverse

7. Migration from rural to urban areas
New businesses in cities paid higher wages than farms
After the Civil War African Americans moved to northern cities
Find better jobs start new life
Blue-collar job workers – worked in factories, wore blue shirts
White-collar workers – worked in offices, schools, stores
Women are in the labor force more than before
Eventually factory jobs decrease
Service jobs increase

8. American Diversity
Ethnic groups –People who share a common national, cultural, or racial background
White, Non-Hispanic -64% 46%
Hispanic -16%
African American % 11.8%
Asian -4.5% %
Multiracial -1.5% %
Diverse Religious Beliefs
Christianity million
Judaism, Islam, Buddhism -9 million
Many practice no religion

9. Values and Institutions
Values –the general principles, or beliefs, you use to make judgments
Broad ideas about what is good and desirable and what is bad and undesirable
Americans have certain shared values
Freedom, equality, opportunity, justice, democracy
Unity, respect for one another, tolerance
The Declaration of Independence
“All people are created equal”
“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”

10. Social Institutions
Institutions- are the key practices, relationships, and organizations in a society
Family- the most important in American life
Churches, Temples, Mosques
Schools-reflect society’s culture, history and knowledge

11. Government Institutions
American institutions reflect how strongly Americans value freedom
The right to make one’s own choice in life without unrestrained interference from government
American government is based on popular sovereignty
the idea that the government receives its power from the people

12. The Constitution Constitution –a detailed, written plan for government
Makes sure that government is limited in its power
3 Branches of government
Legislative Branch-makes laws and changes existing laws based on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
Judicial Branch-studies and interprets the law
Executive Branch-executes the laws
Bill of Rights
Makes sure that government cannot abuse its power over the individual

13. Lesson 2 Becoming a Citizen
Guiding Question: How does a person become a citizen?
Citizens- are members of a community who owe loyalty to a government.
They are entitled to the protection of that government
Civics- The study of the duties and rights of citizens
A good government need well informed citizens

14. Roots of Citizenship Citizenship-the rights and duties of citizens
Dates back 2,500 years
Greece and Rome
Gave people legal rights
People were allowed to take part in government
Government- the ruling authority for a group of people

15. Two ways to become a citizen
Natural Born Citizen
Any person Born in the 50 States
District of Columbia
American territory (Puerto Rico)
U.S. Military base
If you’re born in another country but your parents are citizens
Can hold dual citizenship

16. Naturalized Citizenship
Naturalization-is a legal process to obtain citizenship
Must be 18 or older
Must have been a lawful permanent resident for 5 years
Must be able to read, write and speak English
Must be of good moral character
Must show an understanding of U.S. civics

17. Road to Citizenship Complete an application and send to
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USIS)
USIS talks to the applicant to make sure all requirements are meant
Take citizenship exam
Special ceremony
Take an oath or swear to be loyal to the United States
Swear to obey the Constitution and the country’s laws
Sign a document
Children under 18 automatically become citizens

18. Losing Citizenship 3 ways to lose citizenship
Expatriation- someone who gives his or her allegiance to a foreign country
Denaturalization- Naturalized citizens who are found to have lied on their citizenship application
Being convicted of certain crimes (3 types)
Treason
Taking part in a rebellion
Trying to overthrow the government by violent means
Only the federal government can grant or take away citizenship

19. Foreign-Born Residents
Not everyone who lives and works in the United States is a citizen
Many are alien-foreign born residents who have not been naturalized. There are two groups
Legal alien- legal immigrant who permanently lives in the U.S
They have all the rights, pay taxes, but cannot vote

20. Legal Alien (continued)
Nonresident alien- someone who expects to stay in the U.S. for a short time, specific period
Can hold a job,, own property, attend public schools, receive public recourses
Refugees- a person who has left his or her home to escape danger such as persecution by government, war or natural disaster
Threat of live has to be proven

21. Illegal Aliens U.S. limits immigration to about 1 million per year
Relatives of U.S. citizens receive the highest priority
So do people with jobs skills
Many more people want to come here than its allowed
1 million people per year enter and remain illegally
Others never applied, arrived by crossing the Mexico and Canada border illegally.
They can be arrested and deported

22. Undocumented People
Close to 12 million people illegally in the United States
Come for work and a better life
Many have no friends, family, or a place to live
Hard to find work
It’s against the law to hire illegal aliens
Low paying jobs and no benefits
Live in fear of deportation

23. Lesson 3 Duties and Responsibilities of America Citizens
Guiding Question- What are the duties of American citizens?
We all play a part in making our communities safe and successful
We all have responsibilities-things we should do
Obligation we meet on our own free will

24. American Citizens have certain duties
Duties- actions we are required to perform at
National, state and local level
Failure to perform is subject to penalties under law
Obey laws- rules that allow people to live together peacefully
Keep order, protect health, safety and property
Pay taxes- provide most of the money government needs to function
Pay employees, defend the country, help those in need
Local communities hire police, pave roads, run schools
There can be fines and penalties if you don’t pay taxes

25. Defend the Nation
Most male citizens are required to register with the Selective Service System (SSS)
In the event of war
Extreme emergency
Government may need to draft
Call men to military service
1973-the latest draft (Vietnam war)
Today our military depends on volunteers

26. Serve in Court
The U.S. Constitutions guarantees that anyone accused of a crime the right to a Jury trial
The Sixth Amendment
Jury- a group of citizens who hear evidence and decide whether the accused is guilty
Every adult citizen must serve
The accused also has the right to hear or present witness
If you are called as a witness, it’s your duty to appear

27. Attend School
Government provides free public elementary and secondary education
In most states children 7-16 years old have to attend school
Taught knowledge
Civics
Prepare for life
Resolve problems
Form opinions, express

28. Citizens Duties and Responsibilities
Obey the law
Pay taxes
Defend the nation
Serve in court
Attend school
RESPONSIBILITIES
Be informed and vote
Participate in your community and government
Respect the rights and property of others
Respect different opinions and ways of life

29. Responsibilities Be an Informed and Active Citizen
Citizens have the responsibility to stay informed
Know what your government is doing
Make your concerns known:
Contact elected officials
Support a cause you care about
VOTE
Citizens 18 and older

30. Respect the Rights of Others
Being helpful is part of being a good citizen
Respect diversity in population. Every person has a right to his or her opinion beliefs and practices
Tolerance-respecting and accepting others

31. Contribute to the Common Good
Essential Question: What would your community be like if no one supported charities or volunteered for community projects?
People need to participate, and volunteer
Give time, money, and effort to improve the community
Contribute to the common good

32. Being Involved
Guiding Question: How can citizens make their community a better place to live
Government provides many services
Citizens also share the responsibility to meet community needs
Care about the community’s
Welfare
Health
Prosperity and happiness of all members

33. Donating Money and Time
Volunteerism- the practice of offering your time and service to others without receiving payment
More than 63 million people do volunteer work
Without volunteers many community needs would not be met
Clean up parks
Church groups make holiday baskets
Retirees teach schoolchildren
Students visit nursing homes
Collect food for a local pantry
Americans give $300 billion per year to charity

34. National Programs
Peace Corps- Advises farmers, teaches children, starts small business, and fights serious diseases worldwide
AmeriCorps- Meets community needs, helps victims of natural disasters, cleans polluted rivers, and assists disabled people
Senior Corps- Volunteer opportunities form seniors
Foster Grandparents- help special need kids
Senior Companions- help other seniors at home
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Connects seniors to volunteer opportunities in their own communities

35. Forms of Government Lesson 4
Essential Question: Why do people create, structure, and change government?
It Matters Because
People form government to establish order, provide security, and accomplish common goals

36. Guiding Question: What is the purpose of Government?
Government- is the ruling authority for a community
Organization that has the power to make and carry out laws and decisions
The Importance of Government
Makes and enforces laws
Makes it possible for people to live together peacefully and productively
Protects from attacks fro other societies
Keep Order and Provide Security
Conflicts always arise
Government makes laws (Rules of conduct)
Laws serve to prevent conflicts between
Individuals, groups, or nations
Laws make it a crime to attack or harm another person
Laws protect people’s property
Guiding Question: What is the purpose of Government?

37. Government Provides Services
Government provides services that people would not otherwise get
Libraries, schools, hospitals, and parks
Repairs streets and bridges, collect garbage, deliver mail
Government agencies make sure products are safe
Food, medicines, cars, cribs
Government helps prevent spread of disease
Government helps the needy by giving:
Food, money, housing, healthcare, programs for the disabled

38. Functions of Government
Keep Order
Pass and enforce laws
Establish courts
Provide Services
Protect public health
Protect public safety
Provide public welfare
Provide Security
Establish armed forces
Protect citizens from foreign attack
Guide The Community
Develop public policy
Manage the economy
Conduct foreign relations

39. Guide the Community
Public Policy-the decisions and action a government takes to solve problems in the community
Governments have limited amounts of money
Formulate policy and plans for collecting and spending money
Handle relations with other countries
Trade, travel
Agreements to share resources
Agreements to help each other if attacked

40. Levels of Government
The United States has a federal system of government
Power is divided between the federal (national) government and state government
Local government serve towns, cities, and counties
Federal has the highest authority over its citizens
Makes and enforces laws for the entire country
States or local government cannot make laws that go against the national government
Federal government sets up citizenship rules

41. State Government Each of the 50 states has it own government
They decide matters for the people in their state
Set marriage laws
Make schooling rules
Hold elections
Manage public health and safety
Build roads and bridges
Create laws as long as the laws don’t go against the national government
Local governments
Found in counties, cities, and towns
Provide schools, police, and fire departments, emergency medical services, and local courts

42. The Types of Government
Guiding Question: What are the types of government?
Nations have different ways of governing themselves
Democratic Government
Democracy began in the Greek city of Athens
Over 2,500 years ago – it was a direct democracy
All citizens meet and vote to decide what to do
Direct democracy is not practical anymore

43. Representative Democracy
Citizens choose a group of people to:
Represent them
Make laws
Govern on their behalf
United States has this form of government
Oldest representative democracy
Majority rules
Determined through elections

44. Two Kinds of Representative Democracy
Republic
Citizens have a role in choosing the person who will be the head of government
President
Constitutional Monarchy
Hereditary ruler- you inherit the position
The power is limited by a constitution
Limited ceremonial rule
Voters elect representatives to make laws
Representative choose a Prime Minister to head the government

45. Authoritarian Government
Regime-a government that is in power
In democratic regimes the people rule
Autocracy-in authoritarian regimes power is held by one person or a small group
Rule as you wish
Unlimited power
Monarchy- a government with a hereditary ruler
Absolute monarchs
Today King of Saudi Arabia, Emir of Qatar
Dictators- exercise complete control by use of force
Overthrow existing government and seize power
North Korea, Cuba

46. Totalitarian Rule
Many dictator for their people to accept totalitarian rule
Government controls almost all aspects of people’s lives
Totalitarian leaders ban any efforts to appose them
They take away individual freedoms
They force people to obey their ideology
They control the media
They rely on scare tactics and violence
Ideology- a body of ideas about life and society
Socialism- society controls all aspects of the economy, either directly or indirectly through the government