Module 1

Lesson 1.03
Citizens in Action
Lesson 1.03 Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
evaluate the importance of civic and political participation
analyze the impact of participation to achieve change


01.03 Citizens in Action
What Are the Responsibilities of Citizenship?
Civic duties (required): Obey laws, pay taxes, server on juries, defend the nation (register & draft), attend school
Responsibilities (not required): Vote, influence government, support the troops, help others, show respect for leaders and
symbols (flag), protect rights
Why is Participation Important in the American Political System?
Representative democracy is a two way system created to prevent abuse of power and anarchy. The government creates,
enforces and settles disputes over these laws. Citizens choose people to fulfill these roles in government, support laws by
obeying them, and challenge unfair laws through legal channels.
Social media has worked to connect people around the world with similar goals and ideas. Social media has helped to facilitate
change in government systems by bringing awareness and galvanizing people. Sometimes this change is peaceful and
sometimes it is violent (consider the example of Egypt/Arab Spring).
It is the citizens responsibility to hold government accountable for its actions in order to protect their interest in its laws.
Citizens can exercise this responsibility by voting, contributing to public policy, or serving as a watchdog over government.
Unfortunately, only about half of the US population votes and even fewer are active in political parties or interest groups- both
of whom are responsible for raising millions of dollars to influence elections, voters, and elected officials.
To protect our representative democracy, more citizens need to be directly involved in the political process.
01.03 Citizens in Action
How Have Models of Effective Citizenship Achieved Change?
1774- George Washington: Already in retirement, he resumed his military career, serving as Commander-in-Chief of the
Continental Army and leading the colonies to defend their independence in the Revolutionary War. Washington then served as
the countrys first president, always viewing himself as a public servant.
1775- the Boston-based Sons of Liberty: (Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott) took great personal risk to warn
colonial militia in the area during the night of British plans to march on Lexington capture key colonial leaders and their
arsenal. Their efforts led to the successful defense of the arsenal at Concord and the move of John Hancock and his family to
safety.
1845- Frederick Douglass: his autobiography made him a national leader in the fight against slavery. Douglass traveled the
country and internationally arguing against slavery, fighting for abolition, and later in support of suffrage for both African
Americans and women.
1849- Harriet Tubman: After escaping slavery, she began trips back into the South to help family members and other slaves
escape through what became known as the Underground Railroad. She also worked as a spy and informant to the Union Army
during the Civil War.
1872- Susan B. Anthony: was a prominent womans suffrage leader in the later 19th century by arguing that by denying
women the right to vote, the country denied that women were citizens.
1957- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The laws he and his supporters wanted to
change affected many minority groups. In 1963, King led the March on Washington where he gave his famous I Have a
Dream speech. His message and leadership live on today, memorializing him as one of the greatest activist citizens in
American history.