Citizenship and Colonial Period

Purpose of Government Civics: Study of citizenship and government. Citizen: Member of a community with government and laws. Government: The power that rules a country. Governments make laws, provide services, and keep order. Government services include the armed forces, police, fire department, schools, hospitals, and road construction. Not only do governments make laws, they also enforce them. Courts are established to decide truth in certain cases.

Democracy Direct democracy: Citizens have the power to rule and make laws. It was established in Athens, Greece. Representative democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make laws. This is also known as a republic. Citizens still hold power in a republic because they elect the leaders.

Dictatorship Controlled by a small group or a single person. Leaders have complete control over laws and government and therefore control the citizens.

American citizen influence Vote. Citizens vote for national, state, and local officials. Join political parties and interest groups to express views with others that share the same beliefs. Government is put in place by the people to serve the people.

Citizens Anyone born in US boundaries is a US citizen. If both parents are US citizens, their children are US citizens. Dual citizenship: Citizen of two countries. This occurs when a child is born outside US boundaries and has only one parent that is a US citizen.

Aliens and restrictions Alien: Person from another country who has not become a US citizen. Immigrant: An alien with the intention of staying in the country permanently without becoming a US citizen. The government restricts the amount of immigrants that come to the country. This is called a quota. Legal Immigration and Revision Act (1990): Increased the quota on immigrants allowed to enter the US and gave special considerations to those with needed job skills.

Illegal aliens People in the country without permission from the US government. Can not legally hold a job in the United States. If they are found, they will be deported, sent back to their country. The Immigration and Naturalization Service investigates cases.

Legal aliens Lives are similar to US citizens. Must obey US laws and pay taxes. Can not vote in elections or run for office. They can not work most government jobs. Some eventually become US citizens but, this is not required.

Naturalization Process where an alien becomes a US citizen. Must file a declaration of intention: alien intends on becoming a US citizen. They must file an application for naturalization. (Must be 18). Application is reviewed by the INS. After approval of the application, an examiner will ask questions about US government and history that must be answered in English. The immigrant must take an oath of loyalty in court. After the oath, the person is a US citizen. All children of the naturalized citizen under 18 get automatic status as citizens.

English Government In 1215, King John was forced by nobles to sign the Magna Carta. This document showed that the king had limits to his power. King Henry III met with a group of advisors. The meetings were called parliaments. By 1300, Parliament grew in size and had legislative power. In 1688, Parliament removed King James. This showed that Parliament was the true power of England. The English Bill of Rights (1689) gave Parliament the power to raise taxes, make laws, and control the army. Common law is based on precedents, an earlier ruling in a similar situation. America copied several ideas from England: Ruler is not above the law, people have a voice in government, and citizens have basic rights.

A British Colony Colony: A group of people ruled by the government of another country. British citizens left England to settle in a new land. This made governing very difficult. Colonists began to develop their own laws.

Foundations of Democracy House of Burgesses Colonists arrived in Jamestown in 1607. In 1619, each area elected two representatives (22). They had little power. Mayflower Compact In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts. The members signed the compact, agreement, saying the government would make “just and equal laws”. Established direct democracy in the colonies.

Colonial Governments By 1733, all 13 colonies had established a government. All had a governor and a legislature. Most legislatures were bicameral. Colonists began to separate themselves from England. In the mid-1700’s, England decided to strengthen its control.

British Taxes King George III began introducing high taxes in the colonies. All materials produced in the colonies belonged to England and colonists were forced to buy British goods. British war debts with France increased taxes on the colonists.

Virtual Representation The colonists had no representatives in Parliament. They argued that because their views were not presented, they should not have to pay taxes. Britain argued that because the colonies were part of the British Empire, and Parliament made laws for the good of the empire, the colonies were virtually represented.

Increased Tension Colonists began boycotting British goods. This led to the repeal of the Stamp Act. In 1774, Britain passed the Coercive Acts. These were known as the Intolerable acts in the colonies.

First Continental Congress Sept., 1774, 12 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia. Delegates demanded that King George III restore the rights of the colonists. He was given one year. King George III sent soldiers to the colonies.

Lexington and Concord Lexington: 70 Massachusetts Minutemen waited for the British, which numbered 750. After a stare down, a shot was fired. The colonists dispersed. There were 18 American casualties and 1 British casualty. Concord: Colonists began firing at the British. There were 250 British casualties and 100 American casualties. Independence was openly discussed.

Second Continental Congress May, 1775, Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia. In 1776, the leaders decided on Independence.

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the statement. He used the ideas of European philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau (All men are created equal) and John Locke (Natural Rights).

Declaration of Independence Four Parts: 1. Preamble: Introduction. 2. Declaration of Rights: Explained the rights that all people should have. 3. List of Grievances: Explained everything that England did to the colonists. 4. Formal Declaration: Declared independence.