Citizenship In the Nation BSA Troop 387 BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

Explain what Citizenship in the Nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties and obligations of a responsible and active American Citizen. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

1. (continued) Rights Religious freedom Assembly Bear arms Illegal search / due process under law Own property Press / media BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

1. (continued) Duties Vote Obey the laws Be active and informed on national affairs BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

1. (continued) Obligations Obey Laws Show respect for holders of public office Know our history Know how our system of government works Vote BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

2. Do two of the following Visit a place listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places Tour your state capitol building or the U S Capitol. Tour a Federal Facility Choose a national monument that interests you BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

3. Watch the evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

3. (continued) Examples of “Major” national newspapers Washington Post New York Times Chicago Tribune Los Angeles Sun-Times Pittsburgh Post-Gazette USA Today Knoxville News-Sentinel & Kingsport Times-News do not fit this category BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

4. Discuss the following documents with your counselor 4. Discuss the following documents with your counselor. Tell how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one. Declaration of Independence Preamble to the Constitution The Constitution Bill of Rights Amendments to the Constitution BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

Declaration of Independence Written record of why the colonies were revolting against British rule Gave details of British oppressions Written record of “American” beliefs regarding government Quiver or wall rack is recommended. Or, hang quiver on wall. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

Preamble to the Constitution Explains the reasons for the Constitution and summarizes the responsibilities (and limits) of the new Federal system of government. Emphasizes that the government gets it’s power from the consent of the governed (“We the People…..do ordain and establish”) BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

The Constitution Blueprint for the new Federal system of government. Outlines functions, duties, responsibilities of each branch of Government Details election procedures Not ratified by the States until first 10 amendments (the “Bill of Rights”) were included. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

The Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the Constitution Spells out rights of citizens and limits on government not explicitly spelled out in the Constitution BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

The first 10 amendments Freedom of religion, Press & expression Right to bear arms Quartering of soldiers Search and seizure Trial and punishment Right to speedy trial & confrontation of witnesses Trial by jury in civil cases Cruel & unusual punishment Construction of Constitution Powers of States and people BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

Amendments to the Constitution (highlights) Abolition of Slavery (#13) Race not a bar to voting (#15) Prohibition (#18) Women able to vote (#19) Prohibition repealed (#21) Voting age set at 18 (#26) BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

5. List the six functions of Government as noted in the Preamble to the Constitution Form a more perfect Union Establish Justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote general welfare Secure blessings of Liberty BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

6. With counselor’s approval; choose a speech of national historical importance. Examples of appropriate speeches: Gettysburg Address Washington’s First and second Inaugural speeches Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

6. (continued) Do the following for the speech you have chosen Find out about the author Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given How does it apply to American Citizens today? Choose a sentence or two that has special meaning to you and explain why. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

7. Name the three branches of the Federal Government 7. Name the three branches of the Federal Government. Explain the function of each. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch, explain the system of checks and balances BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

The Three Branches of Federal Government BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

The Executive Branch The office of the President Handles leadership, policy. Like the President of a company Citizen involvement is primarily the election of representatives to the electoral college to choose the president. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

The Legislative Branch The “Lawmakers” The Senate The House of Representatives Enacts legislation. Citizens elect their senators and representatives to be their “proxies” to the federal government. Senators represent States Representatives answer to specific districts in each State BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

Judicial Branch Supreme Court Interprets Constitution Resolves disputes from lower – level courts Citizens do not have direct influence or involvement in this branch. Judges are appointed by President and approved by Congress BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

System of “Checks and Balances” No single branch has monopoly on power. Each branch can question / change / overturn decisions or rulings made by the other branches Citizens can make changes through the ballot box if they do not like how government is working BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

8. Name your two Senators Currently In January Bob Corker Lamar Alexander In January BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

8. (cont.) Name the representative from your Congressional District Currently Phil Roe BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

8. (cont.) Write a letter about a national issue of concern to you and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your views with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor. BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019

Addresses for letter in requirement 8 Senators Bob Corker 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510-4205 Lamar Alexander 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510-4204 Representative Congressman Phil Roe 419 Cannon House Office Building Washington DC 20515-4201 BSA Troop 387 J. Oberfeitinger 2/4/2019