What does “E Pluribus Unum” Stand For?

Who Are America’s Citizens?• You are a Citizen by birth if you meet any

of the following:• Born in the U.S. (50 states or D.C.), or any of

its territories or military bases• If you are born elsewhere & both parents are

citizens or one is a citizen who has lived in the U.S.

Who Are America’s Citizens?• Naturalization: Legal process of

becoming a citizen• Alien: Non-citizens who live in a country• Immigrant: Move from one country to

another to live• More than 500,000 immigrants to the U.S. per

year

Who Are America’s Citizens?

• The Naturalization Process:1.File Declaration of Citizenship2.Must be in U.S. 5 years (3 if married to a citizen)3.Be 18+ & resident of your state for more than 3

months4.Background interview and test taken5.Oath of Allegiance taken: any kids naturalized

citizen may have under 18 become citizens too

A Lifelong Privilege• Citizenship is a lifelong privilege unless…

• Denaturalization: Giving improper information during naturalization process

• Expatriation: Giving up your citizenship to become citizen of another country

• Punishment for a crime: Treason, violent rebellious act against the government

Aliens in America• U.S. today limits # of immigrants to

around 1 million per year• Recent emphasis on allowing those who are

most likely to become productive, working citizens into country

Aliens in AmericaIllegal Immigrants:• More than 12 million illegal aliens living in

U.S.• Some come temporarily & stay, some come

in illegally• Not legal to hire illegal immigrants

• U.S. Border Patrol created to police U.S.-Mexico, U.S.-Canadian border & waters around Florida

• Deport: Send back to country of citizenship

Aliens in AmericaLegal Immigrants:

• Resident Alien: Has come to the United States to live permanently

• Nonresident Alien: Only in the United States temporarily• TV reporter from foreign country reporting on

World Cup Soccer in U.S. • Aliens have same legal protections as U.S.

citizens• Do not have right to vote, run for office, or sit

on juries

Types of Government• Types of Democracy

• Democracy – A government in which citizens hold the power to rule.

• Direct democracy – a form of democracy in which the people vote firsthand.

• Representative democracy – A government in which citizens choose a smaller group to govern on their behalf.

• Republic – a representative democracy where citizens choose their lawmakers.

• Constitutional Monarch – The monarchs are heads of state only, presiding at the ceremonies and serving as symbols of unity.

• Democratic Principles• Voting and Democracy – Free, fair and competitive

elections• Voters have choice – Competitive elections and

competing political parties are an important in democracies

• Majority rule – citizens agree that when differences of opinion arise, they will abide by what most people want.

Authoritarian Governments• Authoritarian – a government in which

one leader or group of people holds absolute power.

• Absolute Monarch – Monarchs had unlimited authority to rule as they wished. (Technically 2 still remain today – king of Saudi Arabia and the emir of Qatar)

• Dictatorships – Dictators exercise complete control over the state. Dictators generally acquire power through force.

• Totalitarianism – The governments control extends to almost every aspect of people’s lives. • Most dictators impose a totalitarian state• Ban political opposition and suppress individual

freedoms• Regulate farms and industries

Duties & Responsibilities of CitizensResponsibilities: Things we SHOULD do,

voluntary actions

Duties: Things that we are REQUIRED to do as citizens

Duties & Responsibilities of Citizens5 Duties of U.S. Citizens:

1. Obey laws: Federal, State & Local2. Pay Taxes: 3. Defend the country in wartime: the draft for men 18 to 25 if necessary4. Serve on Juries:5. Attend School:

Duties & Responsibilities of Citizens4 Civic Responsibilities of Citizens:

1. Be informed on government actions and decisions that may impact your life2. Make your voice heard on key issues and government officials by voting3. Respect the rights of others: Don’t create panic, tolerate views different than your own

• Drag racing on public roads puts the lives of others in danger

4. Contribute to the common good: Volunteering time and money, helping others in need, etc…

Citizen Involvement• Every year, more than half of

Americans do some kind of volunteer work

• Volunteering can improve the lives of others and make communities safer places to live and work

Citizen InvolvementBureaucracies: Complex systems with

many departments, many rules and many people in the chain of command• How governments are organized, can be

slow to adapt to change

Citizen Involvement• Welfare: The health, happiness and

prosperity of all those in the community

Donating Time & Money:• Many opportunities within the

community to volunteer & contribute• More than $250 billion is donated to

charity on a yearly basis• Average American donates about 2 percent

of incomeVolunteerism: Offering time and effort

to others without payment

Volunteers in ActionCharitable Organizations: More than 1 million charities available to donate either time or moneySchool-Based Programs: Some schools require community service for graduationNational Service Programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Freedom Corps

Citizen Involvement• Voluntary Spirit: Citizens pitch in to

solve problems rather than relying on government.• 50,000+ people volunteer for

AmeriCorps every year