Chapter 1: Citizenship in Government

Section 1: Government of, by, and for the People Rights – things we are allowed to do Duties– things we should do Definition: Civics – the study of the rights and duties of citizens Definition: Government - the ruling authority for a community

Section 1 Continued Functions of Government – What does it do? 1. Keeps Order 2. Provides Security Police, Firefighters, FBI, etc. 3. Provides Public Services Does this by collecting taxes and setting a budget

Section 1 Continued 4. Guides the Community Does this by setting public policy Definition: Public policy – plan by the government to achieve community goals

Section 1 Continued Levels of Government National State Local

Section 1 Continued Types of Government: 1. Dictatorship Definition: Dictatorship – a gov’t controlled by 1 person or a small group 2. Democracy Definition: Democracy – gov’t in which the people rule

Section 1 Continued 2 Types of Democracy: o Direct Democracy: citizens vote for everything o Representative Democracy: citizens choose a smaller group to make laws & govern on their behalf

Section 1 Continued Principles of American Democracy 1. Power comes from citizens 2. People run the gov’t through representatives 3. Gov’t exists to better our lives 4. Everyone’s vote is equal 5. All candidates can express views to the public

Section 1 Continued Principles of American Democracy Continued: 6. Voting requirements are few 7. We have secret ballot voting 8. Political parties compete for your vote 9. We have majority rule Definition: Majority rule – we abide by what most people want

Section 2: The Path to Citizenship Who is a citizen? 1. Citizenship by birth 2. Citizenship by naturalization Definition: Naturalization – legal process to become a citizen

Section 2 Continued Who needs naturalization? 1.Definition: Aliens – non-citizens without full political rights Come to work, study, visit relatives, etc. Only need naturalization if staying

Section 2 Continued 2. Definition: Immigrants – people who move permanently to a new country More than ½ million people each year

Section 2 Continued 1. Sign a declaration of intention that says you want to be a US citizen Steps in the Naturalization Process 2. Live in the US 5 years, 3 if married many take classes during this time 3. Interview with the INS (Immigration & Naturalization Services)

Section 2 Continued 4. Pass the Citizenship Exam 5. Pledge the Oath of Allegiance (pg 15 of textbook)

Section 2 Continued Immigrants in the US Citizenship is a lifelong privilege The US Gov’t restricts the number of immigrants allowed per year Illegal Aliens can be deported Definition: Deported – sent back to one’s own country

Section 3: The Diversity of Americans We are a nation of immigrants! Due to migration Definition: Migration – the mass movement of people

Section 3 Continued Groups who have migrated here 1. Native Americans – crossed the land bridge that once connected North America and Asia

Section 3 Continued 2. European Settlers – established Spanish, British and French colonies in the 15 th -18 th centuries 3. African Immigrants – forced to come through slavery About 500,000 brought this way 4. After U.S. independence, about 35 million more immigrated by 1924

Section 3 Continued Unity Among Citizens Definition: Patriotism – love for one’s country Unites U.S. Citizens Can be expressed through songs, flags, Pledge of Allegiance, etc.

Section 3 Continued Unity Among Citizens continued: There was a surge of patriotism due to September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Definition: Terrorism - Use of violence by groups against civilians to achieve a political goal