What is Civics?
-Civics
-Study of Citizenship
and Government
-Citizen
community member who
owes loyalty to the
government and is
entitled to protection
from it.
-Government
The ruling authority for a
community.
The Common Good
--The ultimate
role of the
government is to
do the greatest
good to the
greatest number
of people
without harming
others
Why We Need Gov’t?
-Make laws
Help prevent conflicts and
settle disputes
-Keep Order & Security
By using police and a court
system
-Provide Services
Libraries, schools, parks,
hospitals…
-prevent anarchy
-the absence of any form
of government
Levels of Government
-National
“The government”
-highest level of authority
-Provides the basic
framework for
citizenship
-State
-Local
County
City
Levels of Government
-National
-State
Makes laws for that
individual state
-when in that state
citizens from other
states must obey the
laws
-Local
County
City
Levels of Government
-National
-State
-Local
“closest to the people”
County
ISS vs. CMS
City
Gun laws in NYC vs Lincoln,
Nebraska
Democracy
-republics-- rule by the
consent of the people
(Synonym for democracy)
-democracy
-direct democracy-a
form of government
where each citizens has
an actual say in the
affairs of government
-representative
democracy-a form of
government where
citizens elect
representatives to make
decisions for them
Democracy
What type do we have in
the United States?
Why?
-democracy
-direct democracy-a
form of government
where each citizens has
an actual say in the
affairs of government
-representative
democracy-a form of
government where
citizens elect
representatives to make
decisions for them
Monarchy
-monarchy-form of government led
by a king or a queen
-absolute monarchy
Government has unlimited
power to rule as they
wish.
-limited monarchy
King is more of a
figurehead with a
legislature making most
of the decisions for the
country. (England today)
Socialist
-socialistType of government where
individuals and
government share
ownership in major
businesses and
government takes on a
greater role in citizen’s
lives.
Communist
-communistType of government where
the government owns and
controls all aspects of
life for its citizens
Authoritarian
-dictatorship-Type of
government that is
usually controlled by one
person who allows very
little freedom or
opposition
(Saddam Hussein, Iraq)
-totalitarianism-Form of
government where little
freedom or opposition is
allowed
-oligarchy-Government
that is ruled by a small
group of people
Oligos “a few”
Archo “to rule”
Religious
-theocracyType of government that is
ruled by religious leaders
Vatican City
Ecclesiastical, or sacerdotalmonarchical government.
American Population
-late 1700’s
less than 4 million people
-today
Over 300 million
-what caused the growth?
immigration
1600-1700 Mainly English
1600-1850 African Slaves
1700-1800 Western Europeans
1800-1900 Eastern Europeans
1900-2000 Latin Americans
birthrate/Life Span/Technology

African Immigrants


did not come willingly (slaves)
estimated 500,000 Africans were
brought to America for this purpose


WE ARE NOT A…….
Diverse Population

many different ethnic backgrounds, but many
people do not identify themselves w/ one
ethnic group
Citizenship
-What is a citizen?
-2 ways to become a citizen (14th
Amendment)
1. born a citizen
-born anywhere in any part of the
United States
-If your parents are citizens no matter
where you were born
-possible to be a dual citizen at birth?
Naturalization
-naturalization
-5 requirements
-file an intent form
Statement that you want to become a
US citizen.
-live in U.S. for 5 years
If married to a citizen the wait is only 3
years
-be 18 years old
Naturalization
-naturalization
-5 requirements
-file an intent form
-live in U.S. for 5 years
-be 18 years old
-take naturalization test
Interview with agency and take an exam.
Then a decision is made by the
USCIS.
-take citizenship oath of allegiance to
the United States.
-if they have children under 18 they
also become a US citizen.
Naturalization
Process
Sign a
Declaration
of
Intention
File it with
the USCIS
Live in US3 yrs. If
Married to
US citizen5 yrs. If not
Have an
interview
With USCIS
Pass a
Citizenship
Exam
Oath of
Allegiance
Can you lose your citizenship?
Only the federal govt can take it awayand it is rare.
 Citizens may choose to give up the their
citizenship. (you may have dual
citizenship- be a citizen of 2 countries)
How do you lose citizenship?
 Denaturalization- cheating the process
 Punishment for a crime- treason, trying to
overthrow the govt., rebellion

Legal Aliens
-Legal alien
1. Resident- established permanent
residence but does not plan to
become citizen. (Green Card)
2. Nonresident- stay for a short
specified time. EX. Journalist
Visa
Both MUST carry ID at all times
Immigration Act of 1990
We now want people who have
particular skills, talents, or money to
invest in our economy
-immigrant
Person who moves permanently to a new
county
What ever happened to give us your tired,
your poor, your huddled masses yearning
to be free?
Legal Aliens
-have written permission to be in the
U.S.
Visa / Green Card- Formal
permission for a non-citizen to be in a
nation
-can’t vote or hold public office
-have same legal rights and protection
from the government as citizens
Illegal Aliens
-Illegal Aliens
Estimated over 15 million in US today
-can not do anything legally in the U.S.
vote, hold office, work
-can be deported if found
-The process of being expelled from a
nation
-why would someone come here if they
would be an illegal alien???
Transforming America




Census is a population count done every
10 years.
mid 1800’s people began moving from
rural areas to cities
separation of blue collar and white collar
workers
shift to service economy from a
manufacturing economy (provide things for
others as opposed to manufacturing things)
Our Changing Identity

Current changes:



We are getting older
We are getting more education
Hispanic Americans are the fastest
growing population group

E pluribus Unum (on back of
coins)…means “Out of many, one.”
- reminds us that the diverse citizens of
the U.S. join together to create one
strong nation
- linked by shared values &
experiences
- all of us descended from someone
who immigrated here (land bridge)
Homework for Tonight


Would you classify America as a Nation of
Immigrants? Why or why not?
Should we be? Why or why not?
Census
-Census
-Started in 1790
needed to know population to
determine representation in
Congress
-completed every ten years (years
ending with a 0)
-asks many other questions to find
out information about the lives of
Americans (confidential)
-Will result in more $$ for your
area.
Nation of Immigrants
-All Americans are either
immigrants or the descendants of
an immigrant
-Native Americans
-Spanish
-English, French, Africans
-Other Europeans
-Asians
-Latinos
Immigration Limits
-mid 1800’s some discrimination begins
against immigrants
-fear of jobs and land being lost by
those already here
-1920’s saw National Origins Act which
limited immigration based on
nationality aimed at limiting the
number of eastern Europeans and
Asians
-1960 saw modern quota system
implemented (millions apply for
naturalization yearly-only 700K-900K
accepted)
-refugees are the exception to the
immigration quotas
People who have fled their homes
because of war or famine
Population Growth
-Early population growth
-large influx of immigrants
-> Coming for a chance at a better
life—”American Dream”—
-naturally high birthrates
-> Need help on the farms
-Today
-declining birthrate
Steady decline starting in early
1970’s
-fastest growing part of our
population-> elderly and
immigrants
Where We Live
-4 great shifts in our population
1.mid 1800’s saw people move from
farms(rural) to cities (urban)
Went where the jobs were.
2.late 1800’s , early 1900’s saw
African Americans moving into
northern areas
1865- End of Civil
“Great Migration”
3.late 1900’s saw shift toward the
south and southwest U.S.
4.late 1900’s saw move toward living
in suburbs of cities
Changing Nation
-The United States changes with
every Census
-Language barriers
bi-lingual areas
-cultural barriers
The more immigrants the more
diverse the population becomes.
-religious barriers
-aging population
“Baby Boomers” becoming elderly
Members of Many Groups
-Many Americans play roles in most
of these groups
-Family
-Friends
-Religion
-Education
-Economics
-Government
Values We Share
-American Dream
-Legacy of freedoms
-Government by the People
-equality of all persons
-Justice
-Imperfect Society in reality
Still the best in the world?