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Civics & Citizenship

Terms in this set (55)

What is civics?
study of citizenship and government
Define a citizen
Member of community with certain rights and responsibilities
What is government?
Ruling authority of a community that enforces the rules and laws
Name three reasons why we need government.
1) Make laws
2) Keep order
3) provide services
What are the three levels of government in our country?
1) National
2) State
3) Local
This is the name given to a government where the power resides in the people
Democracy
What are the two types of democracies?
Representative and direct
What form of government is monarchy?
Form of government led by king/queen
In which form of government does a single person or small group hold all the power?
Oligarchy
This is a government system that is based on religious rule
Theocracy
What is the approximate population of the United States
Nearly 300 million
How did our population grow so quickly from our beginning?
Immigration and birth rates
What are the two ways in which a person can become a citizen of the US?
1) Born a citizen
2) Through naturalization
Describe the two ways in which birth makes a person a citizen
1) born anywhere in any part of the US
2) if you're parents are citizens no matter where you are born
What is a dual citizen?
Someone who has citizenship in 2 countries
What are the requirements to be naturalized?
1) File an intent form with I.N.S.
2) Live in U.S. for 5 years (3 if married)
3) Be 18 years old
4) Take naturalization test
5) Take citizenship oath
This is a person who is not a citizen, but has permission to be in the United States
Legal Alien
This term applies to someone who is not a citizen, has permission to be here, and plans to live here permanently.
Immigrant
This is the official government documentation that gives a non-citizen permission to be here
Visa/ Green card
In what ways are legal non-citizens different from citizens?
1) Can't vote or hold public office
2) Serve on juries
3) Hold most government jobs
In what ways are they the same as citizens?
Same legal rights:
-own property
-attend school
-receive government taxes
-pay taxes & obey laws
What do you call someone who is not a citizen and does not have permission to be in the country?
Illegal Aliens
In what ways are their lives restricted?
cannot do anything legally in U.S.
-vote, hold office, work
What could possibly happen to them if found here illegally?
can be deported if found
These are things that all citizens are required to do
Duties
These are things that all citizens should do
Responsibilities
Name the 5 basic requirements of all citizens
1) Obey the laws
2) Pay taxes
3) Defend the nation
4) Serve in court
5) Go to school
What could happen to someone who does not follow one or more of these requirements?
face fines or jail times
Name some responsibilities of a citizen
1) Be informed of events
2) Vote in elections
3) Participate in events
4) Respect for property
5) Respect for others
Name three major sources of our rights as citizens
1) Written Documents
2) Law passed by the government
3) Rulings by court
Give several examples of written documents that contain our rights
1) Constitution
2) Bill of Rights
3) Declaration of Independence
4) State Constitutions
Which government have the power to pass laws that may affect your rights?
Federal, State, & Local
How does the court system affect our rights?
decisions of the courts interpret the meaning of the laws passed by government
Define what is meant by rights of security
-Protect us from the government
-Some of our rights are based on denying certain powers to our government
Give an example of a right of security
3rd amendment-don't have to quarter troops in peace time
What are rights of liberty?
Protect our freedoms
Give an example of a liberty right
First Amendment rights RAPPS -religion, assembly, petition, press, speech
What are rights of equality?
Requires that all persons are treated the same
Give an example of a right of equality
14th amendment- requires all persons to be given due process and equal protection
What is prejudice?
Unfair thoughts about a group of people
How is discrimination different than prejudice?
It's unfair actions, not thoughts
What was the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s?
Dr. Martin Luther King helped minorities and women, nonviolent protests, violent (Malcolm X)
1964- prohibited discrimination in public places
1965- can't be prevented from voting; must be free
Describe affirmative action
Government project that gives special preference to women and minorities in government jobs and contracts
What does the term "glass ceiling" mean?
Term used to describe the limitations many women and minorities face in job advancements; hold you back
Why is affirmative action a hot topic of government debate today?
Reverse racism; people have begun to debate effectiveness of affirmation action and the goal of equal treatment of all citizens
What is the census?
The official population count taken every 10 years
How often is a census completed?
Every 10 years
Why did many people become fearful of immigrants beginning in the 1800s?
Fear of jobs and land getting lost
How is immigration to the United States controlled today?
National origins- act limited immigration based on nationality (675,000 a year)
How has our nations birth rates changed?
Declining birthrate : children are expensive, divorce rates are higher, putting marriage and kids off
What is the fastest part growing part of the United States population?
South and western part of US
What major areas of the US have been experiencing great growth over the last 20 years?
Suburbs
Why are language barriers becoming more of a problem in many parts of the nation?
Immigrants coming in don't commit to learning English
Why are we concerned about the age of the "baby-boom" generation?
People are living longer; Social Security
This is the belief of many citizens and noncitizens that the United States is a place where one can find freedom, equality, and opportunity
The American Dream
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