Why study civics

WHY STUDY CIVICS?

WHY STUDY CIVICS?

To know the following:Your rights and responsibilitiesThe role of government in everyday lives

Our economic system and decisions you make and others that effect your life

What is our relationship to other nations and world affairs

WHAT IS CIVIC LIFE?PoliticsGovernmentThe political processWhat government institutions are in our daily lives The processes by which groups with diff erent

interests and opinions reach and enforce decisions

WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM?

The Constitution Explains how power is shared among the different

branches of government and on the federal and state level

Government of the

People, by the People,

for the People

UNIT ONE- FOUNDATIONS OF

AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA?

Government is the ruling authority in a community

Citizens agree to follow a set of rules and accept government authority

Three levels of government in America:FederalStateLocal

FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT

Provide services, protection that individuals could not supply independentlyA. Keeping order and providing security- laws

prevent and settle conflicts, armed forces defend citizens against outside forces

B. Providing public services- services aimed at keeping public healthy and safe

C. Guiding the community- formation of public policy to achieve community goals

D. To collect and spend moneyE. Communication and cooperation with

other countries

TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

Dictatorship- government control by small group or one person

Democracy- all citizens participate, share in governing and being governedDirect democracy- all citizens participated, had right and responsibility, and had equal voice

Began in ancient Greece 2500 yrs. ago Not practical in US because of large, diverse population

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT

US has a representative democracy- citizens choose smaller group to represent them, make laws, govern

Citizens source of government authorityU.S. oldest representative democracy in the

world

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

A. Rule of Law- All people are bound by lawB. Limited Government- Can only do what

people give it power to doC. Consent to be Governed- citizens are

source of powerD. Individual Rights- protected by governmentE. Representative Government- people elect

leaders to govern, make lawsF. Free, fair competitive elections

i. Candidates have right to freely express opinion in publicii. One person one voteiii. Legal requirements to vote kept to a minimumiv. Majority Rule

AMERICAN DIVERSITY AND

CITIZENSHIP

US great ethnic, religious diversity American culture is a blend of many influences Until mid 1900’s most immigrants from Europe Latin Americans, Asians account for most

newcomers African slavery was immigration by force American population grew because of

immigration and natural growthMigration- Population moved from rural

areas to cities beginning in late 1800’s (manufacturing jobs) Manufacturing is being replaced by service

economy (jobs that provide a “service” for others)

American population is aging Hispanics fastest growing ethnic group

By 2050 Hispanics will make up a majority of the population

NATION OF IMMIGRANTS

Millions enter America only 675,000 accepted

5-6 million illegal aliens live in U.S.

Many come for economic opportunity

Do not have full political rights, can’t hold government jobs

Can have public services (school, health care), own property and hold jobs

ALIENS IN AMERICA

Two way to become a citizen- birth, naturalization Birth • born in U.S.• parents are citizens• born on U.S. soil (exception: children of foreign diplomats)

Naturalization Aliens come to U.S. for work, school, etc. eventually leave Immigrants come to U.S. to settle

Steps to become a citizen1. Sign statement to become citizen2. Live in U.S. for at least 5 years3. At least 18 and then file paperwork, apply for citizenship4. Interview and citizenship exam5. Sworn in as citizen Children become citizens also

WHO ARE AMERICA’S CITIZENS?

A. Lost for criminal behavior

B. Stripped by government

C. Voluntarily give it up

Once you lose it you can’t regain it

PRIVILEGES OF CITIZENSHIP

WHAT UNIFIES US AS AMERICANS? Bound by common civic and political

heritageDeclaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights (documents)

Ideas of liberty, popular sovereignty, equal justice under the law, majority rule (ideals)

English language creates unity

CHAPTER 2-ROOTS OF AMERICAN

DEMOCRACY

INFLUENCES FROM ENGLISH GOVERNMENT

Influenced by English government, settlers brought history of limited government

English Traditions 1215 Magna Carta-

placed limits on kings power, right to jury trial, equality under law

Advisors to king eventually became Parliament (a representative, lawmaking body)

1689 English Bill of Rights

1) Parliament supreme power2) Monarch had to summon Parliament

regularly3) Parliament had power over money4) Monarch could not interfere with

Parliament5) Guaranteed trial by jury 6) Principle of habeas corpus- person

could not be held in jail unless charged with specific crime

ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS

OTHER ENGLISH TRADITIONS

Common Law No written laws in early England Custom had force of law System based on custom- common law

Precedent Courts decisions became basis of laws Judges decided cases, used precedent (ruling from

an earlier case that was similar) to make consistent ruling

Equity Law- system of rules to resolve disputes on fairness

Statutory Law- based on laws made by legislative bodies

OTHER ENGLISH TRADITIONS

BRINGING ENGLISH HERITAGE TO AMERICA

Representative Government1600’s, 1700’s English

settlers bring political traditions to colonies

Charters- gave colonists right to est. governments, guaranteed colonists rights of Englishmen

1619 House of Burgesses 1st representative assembly in America

1620- Mayflower Compact set up government with majority rule, established direct democracy in America

Town Meetings Tradition of direct democracy Citizens held meeting to discuss problems and issues

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Americas first written constitution Called for an assembly of elected leaders to make laws,

called for the election of judges and governor


Philosophical Infl uences

Locke’s idea of natural rights- life, liberty, property

The idea of the social contract Agreement among the people of a society to give up some

of their freedom in exchange to have their natural rights protected by a government

Separation of Powers government was divided into three branches so one group

or person could not have too much powerIdeas of the Enlightenment

Human reason and universal laws (i.e. natural rights) applied to human government and society


BIRTH OF A DEMOCRATIC NATION

Colonial Resistance to Rebellion

Separated from Great Britain by an ocean, American developed tradition of self government

By 1733 all 13 colonies had own government Governor, legislature

Colonies began to make more of their own decisions w/o help from Britain

Mid 1750’s British policies change, took a more active role in lives of American colonists


After French & Indian War, Britain places taxes on colonies to pay for war

Stamp Act “No taxation without

representation!” Colonies boycotted, led to beginning

of end to British rule Declaratory Act (1766) British

could make all decisions for colonies Townshend Acts (1767) Glass, tea,

lead, paper Colonists boycott Tea Act of 1773 led to Boston Tea

Party 1773 Coercive or Intolerable Acts- restricted legal rights, allowed British soldiers to search homes

Movement Toward IndependenceColonists band together against

Intolerable ActsFirst Continental Congress

1774, 12 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia

establish political body to represent American interests and challenge British control

Sent a document to King George III demanding rights of colonists be restored, extend boycott



King George responded with force

War begins in Mass.Colonists question British loyaltyPeople talk about independence1775 Second Continental

CongressCommon Sense by Thomas Paine

published, provided rationale for independence

January 1776 called for complete independence

Congress appoints committee to write a document to announce the colonists independence Thomas Jefferson main writer

Declaration of Independence –A. rights of individualsB. purpose of gov’t to protect people’s rightsC. Gov’t based on people’s consentD. People entitled to overthrow gov’tE. Abuses of King George III

July 4, 1776 approved by Continental Congress1782 Americans defeat British


INSPIRATION FOR IDEAS OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Inspired by Enlightenment ideas, questioned traditional roles of government and society

John Locke1. People had natural rights-

life, liberty, property2. Gov’t has obligation to people3. Best government is limited4. Idea of popular sovereignty-

freely elected government

States started to prepare new constitutions to replace their colonial charters

All states established similar governments Most had a bicameral legislatures

Like Parliament Membership of the houses selected differently

All states had a governorElected by legislature or citizensJob was to carry out laws

Judges and courtsTo interpret laws

Most had a Bill of RightsGuaranteed basic freedoms and protections

THE NATION’S FIRST GOVERNMENTS

Loosely unified under the Articles of Confederation, first constitution of the US

Why?States could not do everything individually, needed a national government

Established a system of cooperation among the independent states

How it was set upUnicameral legislature, one vote per state

Congress controlled the army, dealt with foreign countries – all with limited power

Congress could ask states for money, but could not enforce anything

States afraid to give Congress the power to enforce laws or tax

THE NATION’S FIRST GOVERNMENT

Lack of ability to raise money Congress had no power to

collect taxes. no power to regulate trade no power to enforce its laws

Lack of Central Power No single leader or group

directed government policy. No national court system

existed.Rules Too Rigid

Congress could not pass laws without the approval of 9 states.

The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all 13 states.

WEAKNESSES OF ARTICLES

1781 all 13 states had ratified the A of C

US able to work through these weaknesses and win the Revolutionary War

After the war U.S. had a large debtBorrowed money to fund warStates had a large debt

States taxed goods from other states and countries to raise money

States taxed citizensCongress could do nothing about this


1786 & 1787 – riots broke out b/c people afraid for their safety and property

Shays RebellionFarmer in debt due to heavy taxesCourts wanted to take farmFelt state should not be able to take or

tax his farmLed an armed uprising of farmers Quick rebellion; yet noticed by the country

Demonstrated weakness of articles, no federal or central power to deal with crisis

1787 – delegates sent again to Philadelphia to revise the A of C


Education

Why study civics