1. citizenship
What does it mean to be a member of something?

2. All members of groups have rights and responsibilities.

3. United States Citizenship
To be a member of a nation or country, and to have the full rights and responsibilities under the law.

4. Becoming a citizen
In the United States there are three ways to become a citizen:
being born in the United States
having parents who are citizens of the United States
going through a process called “naturalization”

5. American Territorial possessions “Nationals”
American Samoa
Guam
Marianas
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
They have all the legal
protections which
citizens have, but they
do not have full political
rights of U.S. citizens

6. Rights and Responsibilities
The Bill of Rights: ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791.
They explain some of the rights we enjoy in the United States, including the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection under the law, access to the judicial system, and more.
Along with these rights come some responsibilities too.

7. As Citizens… We are responsible for serving on juries Obeying laws
Tolerating differences in those around us
Participating in our government VOTING

8. Rights of Citizens
Each citizen can register to vote in his/her community.
The states cannot deny the right to vote to anyone
Who is at least 18 years of age
Because of race, color, or gender
Because she/he has not paid a voting or poll tax
In national elections for President and Vice President

9. The Pledge of Allegiance
I Pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it
stands
one nation under God,
indivisible,
with liberty and
justice for all.

10. Living in the United States does
NOT automatically make one an
American citizen.

11. Aliens Aliens are people who have emigrated
from a foreign country. They have some
of the same freedoms and legal protections
as U.S. citizens, but they cannot vote in
elections.

12. Naturalization is the process that allows immigrants to become citizens. Most people who apply for citizenship fall into this category:
over 18 years old
permanent residents of the United States for 5 years
have good character
speak English
pass a civics test
pass an interview
The last step is to take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States and our Constitution.
There is one shortcut! People who serve in the US military for at least one year can become citizens sooner because they have demonstrated their commitment to the United States.

13. The Oath of Allegiance I hereby declare, on oath,
That I absolutely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;

14. That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the Unite States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
That I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;
That I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law;
That I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law;
And that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

15. US Citizenship Timeline
1776 You must be a WHITE MALE and OWN PROPERTY to vote

16. All WHITE MALES may vote even if they don’t own property.
1791
All WHITE MALES may vote even if they don’t own property.
1795
“FREE WHITE PERSONS” will become citizens after living in the US for 5 years.

17. 1848
80,000 Mexican residents of the Southwest are granted citizenship after the Mexican-American war.

18. 1857
In Dred Scott v. Sanford the US Supreme Court rules that African Americans who were brought into this country as slaves could NEVER be citizens.

19. 1868
The 14th Amendment overrules Dred Scott v. Sanford, giving citizenship to African Americans.

20. 1870
Laws changed to say that “WHITE PERSONS and PERSONS of AFRICAN descent “ can be citizens. The 15th Amendment gives African Americans the right to vote.

21. 1913
California and other states enact Alien Land Laws prohibiting non-citizens from owning property. Who isn’t a citizen as of this date?

22. 1920
The 19th Amendment allows WOMEN to vote.

23. 1924
All NATIVE AMERICANS are granted citizenship.

24. 1940’s
All laws banning ASIANS from becoming citizens are overturned.

25. 1947
NATIVE AMERICANS are given the right to vote.

26. 1952
The US Congress passed a law to say that citizenship could not be denied because of a persons’ race or gender.

27. 1965
Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a march to protest lack of voting rights, and the Voting Rights Act gets rid of all barriers to voting.
(literacy tests, taxes, etc.)

28. 1971
The voting age is changed to 18 by the 26th Amendment.

29. 1. Naturalization is the process that allows you to be more natural.
TRUE OR FALSE MINI QUIZ
1. Naturalization is the process that allows you to be more natural.

30. 2. To be naturalized you must be under 18 years old.

31. 3. In 1971, The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.

32. 4. Women have always had the right to vote.

33. 5. Allegiance means loyalty to a person, country, or belief.

34. 6. People who serve in the US Military at least a year can become citizens.

35. 7. Today, you must be 21 years old to vote.

36. 8. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a march to protest the lack of food in the South.

37. 9. Today, people can be citizens regardless of their race or gender.

38. 10. As citizens we have both rights and responsibilities.

39. Answers to mini-quiz 1. False 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. True