foundations of united states citizenship lesson 2, chapter 61 civics

Foundations of United States Citizenship

Lesson 2, Chapter 6 1

CivicsCivics


Lesson 2, Chapter 6, Civics 2

MotivationMotivation• What do you think

your responsibilities as U.S. citizens are and what your government’s responsibilities to its citizens are?

• This lesson deals with these questions.



What is civics?What is civics?

• Civics—the study of the rights and duties of citizens

• Citizens—owe loyalty to their government and receive its protection

• Citizens follow a set of rules and accept the government's authority.



Why is government needed?Why is government needed?

• Government—the ruling authority for a community

• Government helps people live together peacefully and productively.



What are the functions of government?

What are the functions of government?

• Keeping order

• Providing security

• Providing public services

• Guiding the community by developing public policy



What are the levels of government?

What are the levels of government?

• National government in Washington, D.C.• State governments in each of the 50 states• Local governments for counties, cities, and

towns• No lower level can go against the laws and

authority of the national government.



What are the types of governments?

What are the types of governments?

• Dictatorship—control by one person or a small group of people (Cuba)

• Democracy—rule by the people (United States)

• Direct democracy—all the citizens vote firsthand (ancient Athens)



What are the types of governments? (cont’d)What are the types of governments? (cont’d)

• Representative democracy—citizens choose a smaller group to govern but are the source of the government's authority (United States)

• U.S. citizens elect presidents and members of Congress but express their opinions by contacting their representatives.



What are the principles of American democracy?

What are the principles of American democracy?

• The power of government comes from the citizens.

• Americans run the government through elected representatives.

• The government’s purpose is to improve life in the United States.

• Elections are free, fair, and competitive.



What are the principles of American democracy? (cont’d)

What are the principles of American democracy? (cont’d)

• Competing political parties are an important part of democracies.

• Individuals are free to develop their own capacities.

• Majority rule—abiding by what most people want while respecting minority rights



Who are America's citizens?Who are America's citizens?• 3 ways to become a citizen are: Birth,

Naturalization, Act of Congress.• Citizens are those born in the United States

or to parents who are citizens.• Foreigners become citizens through

naturalization.• Aliens come to the U.S. for a short time and

return home without becoming citizens.• Immigrants move permanently to a new

country and can apply for citizenship.



Who are America's citizens? (cont’d)


Birth – Right of Soil and/or Right of Blood

Right of Soil – a citizen based on where you are born

Right of Blood – based on the nationality of one or both parents.

Naturalization – A process whereby foreigners become citizens. Must pass a basic history of the United States test within 3 years or are deported.

Act of Congress – Citizenship granted automatically when territories are annexed by the United States.





• Only the federal government can grant citizenship and take it away.

• State governments can deny some privileges of citizenship, such as voting, but cannot deny citizenship itself.

• In most cases, the only way to lose U.S. citizenship is to voluntarily give it up. Once given up, it cannot be gotten back.



Who are the aliens in America?Who are the aliens in America?

• About 675,000 immigrants enter the United States each year.

• Priority is given to people with • Particular skills• Particular talents• Money to invest in the U.S. economy• Relatives who are US citizens



Who are the aliens in America? (cont’d)


• The 5 to 6 million illegal aliens in the United States come for work and a better life but often have a difficult time.

• Low-paying jobs• Fear of being deported





• Aliens can lead lives much like U.S. citizens.• They can hold jobs and own property.

• But they may not • Vote in elections• Run for office• Serve on juries • Work in most government jobs

• They must carry identification cards at all times.

CheckCheck

review info from citizenship



What are a citizen's legal duties according to JFK?

What are a citizen's legal duties according to JFK?

• Obey laws

• Be loyal citizens

• Defend the nation

• Vote if eligible



What are a citizen's civic responsibilities?

What are a citizen's civic responsibilities?

• Being informed about what the government is doing

• Voting in elections• Respecting the rights of other people• Respecting public property and the

property of others



What are a citizen's civic responsibilities? (cont’d)What are a citizen's civic responsibilities? (cont’d)

• Respecting the practices and traditions of others

• Contributing to the common good



Why do citizens need to be involved?

Why do citizens need to be involved?

• Volunteers make communities better places to live.

• The value of time volunteered by Americans has been increasing since 1987. In 1998, it was about $225 billion.



Why do citizens need to be involved? (cont’d)

Why do citizens need to be involved? (cont’d)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentageof adultvolunteersby age group

foundations of united states citizenship lesson 2, chapter 61 civics

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