Review PowerPoint for Civics Eight Summer School, 2013

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Four (4) ways to become a United States citizen.

1. You were born in the United States or in one of its territories. This is true even if your parents are not citizens of the United States. (Would people come to the United States to have their children become citizens? Is that OK? Why or why not?)

2. At least one of your parents was a citizen of the United States at the time that you were born.

3. You have been naturalized and succeeded in completing the process used to gain citizenship.

4. Your parents were naturalized as citizens and you were less than eighteen (18) years of age.

Requirements of the Naturalization Process

• You must be eighteen (18) years or older.

• You must have had legal residence in the US for at least five years, and in you state of residence for at least three months.

• Good moral character – that is, you have not been arrested.

• Loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Consitution.

• You must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.

• Knowledge of the history of and the form of government in the United States of America.

Swearing an Oath of Loyalty to the USA

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely 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; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United 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 the 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."

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Definitions:

An alien is a citizen of one country that lives in another country. They may do this in accordance with the law or illegally.

A naturalized citizen is one who has gone through the process of becoming a citizen.

A citizen is a person with certain rights and duties under the government.

Matching Activity.

RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS.

1. Democracy

In a functioning democracy, majority rules. But in order for a democracy to function, minority rights must be protected as well.

2. “Consent of the governed”

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

3. Representative Government

4. Limited Government

• The government is not all powerful; it is restricted by either a constitution or because the people have not granted it the power to influence certain affairs.

• For example, the power to tax is limited.

• For example, the national government does not control real estate prices.

5. Rule of Law

In order for laws to work, everyone – from the lowest, poorest citizen to the President of the United States – must be subject to all of the same laws.

Section Three.

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES

Rights and Duties of American Citizens

• The Right to a Fair Trial.

• The Right to Vote.

• The Right to Hold Office.

• The Right to Free Speech.

• Freedom of the Press

• Freedom of Worship, or Religion

• Attending School.

• Jury Duty.

• Obey the Laws.

• Pay Your Taxes.

• Defend the Nation.

Rights of Citizens Duties of Citizens