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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
independence-Land 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 non-U.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 PeopleSection 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.
