The American People
Chapter 1
The Diversity of Americans
Chapter 1
Section 1
What is Civics?
• Civics is the study of the rights and
duties of citizens.
• Citizens are a part of a country
– Share a common history
• Characteristics of a citizen:
– Owe loyalty to the government
– Entitled to protection from the government
– Agree to follow laws and accept government
authority.
A Changing Society
PARTNER UP
• Discuss with your partner:
– Where are they from?
– Where did their ancestors come from (if
you know)?
– What is their ethnicity (white, black,
hispanic, asian, ect…..)?
– Are they an American citizen?
A Changing Society
• The United States is a
nation of immigrants.
• Immigration from
Europe:
– Early immigration
– After American
independenceLand of Promise!
– From southern and
eastern Europe
A Changing Society
• About 500,000 African Immigrants were
forced to come between 1619 and 1808.
• A Shift in Immigration patters….
– For the past 50 years we have seen more
immigrants coming from _____?????
A diverse Population
• Ethnic diversity:
– Whites of European descent- 234 million
– Latinos- 39 million
– African Americans- 37 million
– Asians and Pacific Islanders- 12 million
– Native Americans- 2.8 million
A changing society
• Religious diversity
– Christians- 200 million
– Jews
– Muslims
– Buddhists
– Other religious groups
How is the American population
changing today?
• Population growth and change today:
– Move to the cities
– Working in a Service Economy
– Increasing population in the South and
West
A Changing Society
• The Average Age of Citizens
• Increase levels of education
• Growing Latino population.
How do you view the current
trend in immigration?
Group discussion
What are Values?
• Values are broad ideas about what is
good or desirable that are shared by
people in a society.
• Basic American values
• Values uniting Americans:
– The country’s founding documents
– The English language as a source of unity
– Belief in popular sovereignty
What is popular sovereignty?
• The notion that power lies with the people
through:
– Fair, free, and regular elections
– Equal justice under the law
– Majority rule through the people’s
representatives in government.
American Institutions
• Role of major American institutions
– The family
– Religious institutions
– Educational institutions
– Social institutions
– Governmental institutions
The Path to
Citizenship
Chapter 1
Section 2
What does the Constitution say
about citizenship?
The U.S. Constitution establishes two
ways to become a citizen:
1. by birth and, for foreigners,
2. by a legal process called
naturalization.
• Look at the 14th Amendment on page
110.
Who are American Citizens?
• You would automatically be an
American citizen if you were born in a
state or the District of Columbia, in an
American territory, or on a U.S. military
base overseas.
Who are American Citizens?
• You can also claim citizenship if your
parents are both citizens or one parent
is a citizen who has lived in the United
States.
• Children born on American soil to nonU.S. citizens also acquire U.S.
citizenship, except for children of
foreign diplomats.
• A child born abroad to American
parents may hold dual citizenship.
Is this person an American citizen?
-Johns Father is a marine stationed on a
marine base in Italy. John is born on the
base. Is he a U.S. citizen?
-Steve’s mother is an illegal immigrant living
in Miami. Steve in born in Miami. Is he a
U.S. Citizen.
-Emily’s parents are both U.S. citizens, but
she is born in Argentina. Is she a U.S.
citizen
Not an American Citizen?
• Non-citizens, or aliens, have citizenship
with a country other than the U.S.
– Come to the U.S. to study, work, or visit
relatives and eventually return home.
• More than half a million immigrants–
people who move permanently to a new
country– gain American citizenship each
year through the naturalization process
Naturalization Process
• STEP #1
– Aliens must file a Declaration of Intention
with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS).
Naturalization Process
• STEP #2
– Live in the United States for at least 5
years (three years if married to a
citizen).
– Take Citizenship classes.
Naturalization Process
• Step #3
–File for citizenship.
Naturalization Process
• STEP #4
– Interview with an USCIS official.
• Good moral character?
• Meet requirements?
Naturalization Process
• STEP #5
– The applicant must take and pass a
citizenship exam.
– Must be able to read, write, and speak the
English language
– Knowledge of the history of the country.
Could you pass?!?!?! Class Activity!
Naturalization Process
• Step #6 (Final Step)
– The applicant pledges an oath of
allegiance.
How long do you keep your
citizenship??
• Forever!!
• Americans keep their citizenship for
life, unless they choose to give it up
(expatriation).
• Naturalized citizens can not however be
President or Vice President.
Writing Activity!
Summarize the 5 steps in the
naturalization process. Imagine
that your summary will be
published in a brochure that will be
read by immigrants who want to
learn about how to become a
United States Citizen.
Legal Aliens in America
• The United States restricts the number of
immigrants who can enter the country to
about 675,000.
• Highest priority goes to relatives of U.S.
citizens and people with needed skills.
• Legal aliens live like most Americans.
They hold jobs and pay taxes.
How did the Immigration Act of
1990 change Immigration policy?
• The act shifted the priority for immigration
from people related to U.S. citizens to
people with specific skills, or talents, or
money to invest.
Legal Aliens in America
• They do not have full
political rights.
• They may not vote, run
for office, serve on juries,
or work in most
government jobs.
• They must carry
identification cards.
Classification of Legal aliens
• Resident Alien= A person from a foreign
country who has established a permanent
residence.
• Nonresident citizen= Plans to stay in the
U.S. for a short period.
• Refugees= people who leave another
country and come to the U.S. to escape
persecution.
Illegal Aliens
• Despite laws and limits, approximately 12
million aliens are living in the United
States illegally.
• Some were refused permission and others
never applied for permission
• Its against the law to hire illegal
immigrants, but those who do find work do
it for very little pay.
Why do aliens come to the
U.S.?
• Many aliens live in the United States
illegally.
• Most come looking for a better life.
• Without friends and family here, life is
hard.
• Laws forbid hiring illegal aliens, so work is
hard to find.
• They live in fear that the government will
discover and deport them–send them
back to their own country.
Border Patrol
Review
• Non-citizens who are living in the United
States against the law are called_______.
• The government agency that deals with
immigration and citizenship is called ___.
• Anyone born or naturalized in the United
States is called a ________.
The Constitution establishes two
ways to become a citizen: by birth
or through a legal process called
• A. immigration.
• B. deportation.
• C. naturalization.
• D. legalization.
Someone who moves permanently
to a new country is referred to as
• A. a citizen.
• B. an immigrant.
• C. an alien.
• D. a naturalized citizen.
Which of the following babies would
NOT automatically become an
American citizen?
A. a baby born in any of the 50 states
B. a baby born in an American
territory
C. a baby born in the United States to
foreigners
D. a baby born in the United States to
foreign diplomats
The Immigration Act of 1990
benefits
A. people with money or particular
skills and talents.
B. illegal aliens.
C. Danish immigrants.
D. poor, unskilled immigrants.
Unlike citizens, aliens may not
A. hold jobs.
B. own property.
C. attend public schools.
D. vote in elections.
Government and the People
Section 3
The Need for Government
• Government is the ruling authority for a
community, or society.
• What are the functions of government?
• If each of us could do just as he
or she pleased, fighting probably
would be common, and survival
would depend on strength and
skill.
The 3 levels of government
• National
• State
• Local
Democratic Governments
Direct democracy= All citizens meet
to discuss matters.
Types of Democracy
Representative democracy or republic
The citizens choose a smaller group to
represent them, make laws, and govern
on their behalf.
Types of Democracy
Constitutional monarchy= A hereditary
ruler (King or Queen)
Principles of American Democracy
•
•
•
•
•
Rule of law
Limited government
Consent of the governed
Individual Rights
Representative Government
(Representative Democracy)
Democratic Principals
• Voting and Democracy
– Free fair and competitive elections
– Legal requirements for voting kept at a
minimum.
• Voters have a Choice.
– Competing political parties
• Majority Rule= citizens agree to abide by
what most people want when they have
different opinions about an issue.
Authoritarian Government
• Authoritarian government is one in which
an individual or group holds power and are
not accountable to the people.
1. Absolute monarchy
2. Dictatorship- one person has complete
control
3. Totalitarianism- Government control
extends to almost all aspects of people’s
lives.