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

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4. Guides the Community

• Does this by setting public policy

• Definition: Public policy – plan by the government to achieve community goals

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Levels of Government

National

State

Local

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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

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• 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

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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

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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

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Who needs naturalization?

1.Definition: Aliens – non-citizens without full political rights

• Come to work, study, visit relatives, etc.

• Only need naturalization if staying

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2. Definition: Immigrants – people who move permanently to a new country

• More than ½ million people each year

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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)

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4. Pass the Citizenship Exam

5. Pledge the Oath of Allegiance (pg 15 of textbook)

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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

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Groups who have migrated here

1. Native Americans – crossed the land bridge that once connected

North America and Asia

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2. European Settlers – established Spanish, British and French colonies in the 15th-18th 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

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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