1. Civics Principles & Citizenship

2. Vocab Civics and Citizenship
Government
Values
Popular Sovereignty
Institution
Immigrant
Naturalization
Alien
Public Policy
Democracy
Authoritarian
Monarchy
Totalitarian
Republic
Direct democracy
Representative Democracy
Federalism
Majority Rule

3. What is Civics?
Civics – study of citizenship, government & the rights and duties of citizens
Citizen – member of a community with government and laws that has certain rights & responsibilities
Class Question: Why do you think it is important to know about your gov’t, and your rights and duties as citizens?

4. Citizens Vote for national, state & local officials
Join political parties & interest groups to express views
Government is put in place by the people to serve the people

5. Paths to Citizenship
Birth – born in the U.S. boundaries including territories (jus soli – law of soil) or your parents are U.S. citizens (jus sanguinis – law of blood)
Only kids born of foreign diplomats that the US has no jurisdiction over are not considered U.S. citizens
Naturalization – process by which foreigners can become citizens

6. Other types of people in the U.S.
Alien – person from another country living in the U.S. who has not become a citizen – can be legal or illegal
Immigrant – An alien who permanently moves to a new country – there is a quota
Dual Citizenship – a citizen of two countries. Occurs when a child is born outside US boundaries and has only one parent that is a US citizen

7. Illegal Aliens
People in the country without permission from the U.S. government
Cannot legally hold a job in the U.S.
If found, they will be deported
Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE - ) investigates cases
2003 formation of Dept. of Homeland Security. Now part of the ICE
Still pay taxes – sales tax, income, payroll, property

8. Illegal Aliens

9. Legal Aliens Lives are similar to U.S. citizen
Must obey U.S. laws & pays taxes
Cannot vote in elections or run for office
Cannot work most government jobs or serve on a jury
Some eventually become U.S. citizens

10. Naturalization Process
Naturalization Process – where an alien becomes a U.S. citizen
Declaration of Intent – intends to become a U.S. citizen
Take citizenship classes
Take citizenship test – in English
Background check
Ceremony & Oath in court
All children of the naturalized citizen under 18 get automatic citizenship

11. Naturalization Activity
You will now be given a sample of questions that are on the naturalization test.
How many did you get right?
Oath of Allegiance
Remember you must give up your old allegiance to your former country

12. Restrictions on Immigration
Quota – the U.S. restricts the amount of immigrants that come into the country every year
Legal Immigration & Revision Act – 1990
Increased the quota of immigrants allowed to enter the U.S. (about 675,000 per year)
Gave special considerations to those with needed job skills

13. Immigration to the US by Decade

15. School House Rock Clip Class Discussion:
What does it mean that America is a melting pot?
Where did your ancestors come from?
What things in America have we adopted from immigrants?

16. The Melting Pot that is Our Country
Diversity
We live in a diverse society
We are a nation of immigrants
National Motto
E Pluribus Unum – Out of many we become one – shows our diversity
Slavery & segregation go against this concept

17. Principles of American Democracy
Rule of Law
Everyone has to follow the rules
Limited Government
Government is limited by the people. WE decide how powerful it can get.
Consent of the Governed
Citizens = Power
Individual Rights
Government protects rights. Ex. Bill of Rights
Representative Government
We elect leaders to govern us and make laws

18. Nation of Immigrants

19. Other Important Civic Terms
Patriotism – love for one’s country
Nationalism – extreme devotion to one’s country – can give rise to feelings of abhorrence to other nationalities

20. Terrorism – using violence to achieve political goals
Oklahoma City Bombing /19/95

21. Presidential System – system like ours where the President is the leader
Parliamentary System – system like the U.K. where the prime minister is the leader – this is the most common

22. What is a government and what does it do?
Government – the power that rules a country or community
Makes laws, provides services, keeps order & guides the community (public policy)
Services include armed forces, police, fire department, schools, hospitals & road construction
Governments make laws & enforce them
Courts are established to decide truth & justice

23. What happens when there isn’t a government?
Anarchy – a state of lawlessness, without rules or order
Class Question: What would life be like if we didn’t have rules?

24. Thomas Hobbes on Government
English philosopher
Wrote about the need to have government because people are naturally bad
Survival of the fittest – we act as animals
Class Question: Do you think humans naturally bad?

25. Aristotle’s 3 types of Government
Ancient Greek philosopher, student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great
Identified 3 types of government
1. Dictatorship
Rule by a small group or a single person
Leaders have complete control over laws & government & therefore over citizens
Ancient example: Julius Caesar
2. Oligarchy
Rule by few.
Ancient example: Sparta
3. Democracy
Rule by many (citizens).
Ancient example: Athens

26. Modern Types of Government
Modern political scientists group them differently – Authoritarian and Democracy

27. Authoritarian
Power held by a person or group that is not accountable to the people
3 types
Absolute Monarchy – King with unlimited power
Dictatorship – person who takes power by force – likely to control police & military
Totalitarian – state run media – control all aspects of citizens lives

28. Absolute Monarchy

29. Dictatorship

30. Totalitarian

31. Democracy Rulers are accountable to its citizens
Usually includes many rulers
Usually limited by a constitution
Allows people to voice opinions by voting or participating in government
2 types of Democracy

32. The Two Types of Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
King whose power is limited by a constitution
Republic
Leaders do not inherit positions but are chosen by the people
2 types
Direct Democracy – people have the power to write laws & rule – established in Athens
Indirect or Representative Democracy – citizens elect lawmakers allowing citizens to hold power over the lawmakers – ex. United States