CH1-1: B EING A N A MERICAN

I MMIGRATION Immigrant – person who moves permanently to another country Many move for jobs or freedoms Where do most immigrants come from?

E THNIC D IVERSITY Ethnic Group – people who share a common national, cultural, or racial background How does having a variety of different ethnic groups impact the country?

V ALUES Value – principles or beliefs that people use to make judgments and decisions Shared American values: Freedom Equality Opportunity Justice Democracy Respect Many of these values are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence & protected in the Constitution

CH2-2: B ECOMING A C ITIZEN

W HAT IS C IVICS ? Citizens – community members who owe loyalty to a government and, in turn, are entitled to the protection of the government. Government – ruling authority for a community Civics – study of the duties & rights of citizens

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” - Thomas Jefferson

C ITIZENSHIP There are 4 ways to become a US citizen: 1. Born in the U.S. or U.S. territory 2. At least one parent is a US citizen 3. Be naturalized (go through the legal process of becoming a citizen) 4. Be under 18 when your parents are naturalized

N ATURALIZATION P ROCESS To become naturalized, an immigrant must meet the following requirements: 1. Be at least 18 or older 2. Live in the US legally for 5 years 3. Be able to read, write & speak English 4. Have good moral character 5. Know US civics

N ATURALIZATION P ROCESS, CONT. An application must be made to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) The immigrant will have to prove they meet the requirements & will take a test about US history and government. If they pass, they take an oath of loyalty to the US & become a citizen

W AYS TO L OSE US C ITIZENSHIP There are 3 ways to lose your citizenship: 1. Expatriation – to become a citizen of another country. 2. Denaturalization – naturalized citizen loses their citizenship because they lied on their citizenship application 3. Convicted of treason – taking part in a rebellion against the government or giving information to the country’s enemies

F OREIGN -B ORN R ESIDENTS Alien – foreign-born resident (immigrant) who has to become naturalized Resident alien – permanently lives in the US Nonresident alien – stays only a short time Resident aliens have all the same rights as citizens EXCEPT : They cannot vote or run for political office

F OREIGN -B ORN R ESIDENTS Refugee – person who flees a place or country to escape danger Could be political persecution, war, or natural disaster Illegal immigration has become a major problem About 12 million people live in the US illegally Come to US for work & freedom, but causes problems with US resources

CH1-3: D UTIES AND R ESPONSIBILITIES

D UTIES & R ESPONSIBILITIES Duties – actions that people are required to perform; punished for not performing them Responsibilities – things that we should do, but they are not required

E XAMPLES OF D UTIES Obey the laws Pay taxes Defend the nation Males age are required to register with Selective Service This DOES NOT put them in the military; it just means that they are old enough to serve if a draft were used Jury Duty Act as a witness in court Attend school WHY ARE THESE SO IMPORTANT THAT CITIZENS CAN BE PENALIZED FOR NOT DOING THEIR DUTIES?

E XAMPLES OF R ESPONSIBILITIES Be an informed & active citizen Know what the government is doing Vote Contribute to the Common Good Help your community & its members Ex. Give to the food bank, clean up litter, etc. Respect the rights & property of others Respect different opinions & ways of life WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS YOU CAN BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN?

CH1-4: F ORMS OF G OVERNMENT

T HE I MPORTANCE OF G OVERNMENT Four functions of government: Keep Order Pass laws & use court systems Provide Security Protects the country with the military Provide Services Health & welfare programs, schools, etc. Guide the Community Managing the economy & creating goals

L EVELS OF G OVERNMENT Federal Government State Government Local Government (county, city & town governments)

D EMOCRATIC G OVERNMENT Democracy – form of government in which the citizens hold the power to rule Representative Democracy – citizens elect others to govern on their behalf

D EMOCRATIC G OVERNMENT, CONT. Two forms of Representative Democracy Republic – Citizens have a role in electing the head of the government Ex. US Constitutional Monarchy – King or queen is present, but their power is limited by a constitution. Ex. United Kingdom

P RINCIPLES OF A MERICAN D EMOCRACY Rule of law – laws apply to everyone Limited Government – gov. is not all powerful Consent of the governed – citizens are the source of gov.t’s power Individual rights – are protected by gov. Representative Gov. – citizens elect gov. leaders Free, fair & competitive elections Majority rule - laws are made according to what the majority wants

A UTHORITARIAN G OVERNMENT Authoritarian Gov. – power is held by a person or group NOT accountable to the people Examples: Absolute Monarchy – King or queen has total power. Ex. Saudi Arabia Dictatorship – person seizes power by force, usually with the help of the military. Ex. North Korea