CIVICS

CHAPTER 1
WE THE PEOPLE

SECTION 1
CIVICS IN OUR LIVES

THE MEANING OF CIVICS

CIVICS the study of what it means to be a
US citizen
Citizen a legally recognized member of a
country
Government the organizations, institutions,
and individuals who exercise authority as a
political unit over a group of people
the US government grants citizens rights and
requires responsibilities of them

Americans are also citizens of smaller

communities, enjoying rights and
responsibilities there as well

American Ideals
Freedom and equality
US citizens are all guaranteed by law the same
rights and freedoms, as long as they obey the laws
of the nation, state, and community
We are also required to do our share
Freedom to learn is provided by our state and local
government in the form of public schools and
libraries
We also have freedom to choose a job, but must
receive education to become qualified
We will study many other freedoms in this course as
well

Government by the People

In the US, the people rule through the officials
they elect
Officials are responsible to the people who elected
them
________________________________________
If not, they can be voted out of office
Voting is one of the most important responsibilities of US
citizens
Informing government officials of disagreements or your
needs is another important responsibility of the people as
rulers
Studying civics will help you to fulfill these and other
responsibilities

Government by the People

Brainstorm: What are some characteristics of a
good citizen?

Qualities of a Good Citizen

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Are responsible family members

Respect and obey the laws of the land
Respect the rights and property of others
Are loyal to their country and proud
Take part in and improve life in their communities
Take an active part in their government
Use natural resources wisely
Are well informed on important issues and are willing
to take a stand if needed
9. Believe in equality of opportunity for all people
10. Respect individual differences, points of view, and
ways of life different from their own

CHAPTER 1
SECTION 2
Who are US Citizens?

Citizenship

1. Most Americans are native-born citizens

Citizenship and Immigration

2. Some citizens are immigrants

People who permanently move here from other nations
Most Americans are descendants of immigrants
Today the government puts quotas on immigration
Set # of immigrants allowed from specific nations

Citizenship and Immigration

3. Aliens are citizens of other nations who live in the

US

Here for education, jobs, or visiting

Some are legal; others are not
Subject to our laws (could be deported)
Must register with the US government

4. Refugees flee persecution in other

countries

The President and Congress make decisions

about accepting them

Naturalization
Naturalization the legal process by which
an alien may become a citizen
Qualifications for naturalization:
5 year resident of the US (3 if married to a citizen)
18 years old
Must prove that they can support themselves
Must be able to read, write, and speak English
Must be free from certain illnesses
Must not be a drug addict or criminal

Naturalization Steps
1. File a Declaration of Intention
2. Fill out an application
3. Interview with an Immigration Official
This is where the test would be administered

4. Background Check
5. Final Ceremony and Oath of Allegiance
to the US
Minors become citizens automatically when
their parents are naturalized

CHAPTER 1
SECTION 3
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
TODAY

US POPULATION
Census count of US residents that takes
place every 10 years
Determines # of Representatives from each state in
the US House of Representatives
Gives us information about population growth or
decline in various regions of the nation
Helps the gov., businesses, and individuals plan for
the future

US POPULATION (cont.)
Population Growth
1790 4 million
2010 300 million
How have we gotten to be so big?
Natural increase
Birthrate grater than death rate

Adding new territory

US has gained land through annexation and purchase of new
land

Immigration
Since 1820, more than 60 million people from all over the world
have come to the US

Today, US population is growing at a much slower

rate
Smaller families and limited immigration

Where do Americans Live?

Rural areas
Only 59 million out of 281 million live in areas of farms and
small towns (2000 census)

Urban areas
By 1830s more Americans began to move to cities
By 1920, more citizens lived in urban areas
This trend continued until the 1950s

Suburbs
Areas surrounding larger cities
Generally larger homes, more space, and quieter
communities
Today, people living in suburbs outnumber those in large
cities

Metropolitan areas
City + suburbs
More than 4/5 of Americans today live in metropolitan areas

Where do Americans Live?

Migration
Movement of large # of people from region to region
The Northeast and Midwest have been the
traditional population and industrial centers in the
US
Many Americans today are moving to the Sunbelt
South and West
Warmer climate and better job opportunities
Six of the nations top tem cities are in the Sunbelt
CHART

American Diversity
1. White Americans are still the largest ethnic
group (over 60%)
2. Hispanics (12.5%)

The fastest growing population in the US

Because of illegal immigration, this number is not
completely accurate

3. African Americans (12.3%)

Also increasing

4. Asian Americans (3.6%)

Increased by more than 48%, or 10 million

between 1990 and 2000.

The American Family

Recent statistics show that the size of US
households is decreasing while the # of
households is increasing
People having less children (1970 over 4; 1990
less than 3)

The number of one-parent households is also

increasing
Today less than 25% of all households include a
mother, father, and children

Now more families have two parents that work

outside the home
Over 60% of married women work outside the home

An Older Population
The largest sector of the population is between
the ages of 25 and 64
Because of slowed birth rates and decreasing
death rates, the US also has a very large
population over age 64
Average life expectancy is 77 years
Offers a challenge to provide income, health, and
recreation services to our nations older population,
which continues to grow