civics_ch1_info

=**Ch. 1 Citizenship in Democracy Background Information**= Welcome to the first chapter in Pennsylvania Civics. This page serves as the text for chapter 1. In other words, instead of a textbook, the main points of study will be from this web page. Read through the page and in your notebook, write the information you are told to write as you read. When you see the word __//NOTE//__, this means you need to write the noted information on your note guide. **Bold face words** indicate vocabulary that you need to know.

So, when you see the word __//NOTE//__: write the information AFTER until the period marking the end of the note.

**We the People:**
America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But, what does all of that mean? Who makes up America? What makes America so special? The study of Civics will help you gain and understanding as to why "we the people" live in the freest land on earth. __//NOTE//__: **Civics** is the study of citizenship and government and what it means to be a good citizen. __//NOTE//__: A **citizen** is a legally recognized member of a nation. Today, America is made up of citizens from different ethnic groups who came to America under various circumstances over the centuries.

The concept of citizen originated in Greece around 590 B.C. and was later adopted by the Romans. What it means to be a citizen has changed since the Roman Republic. Romans used the term to distinguish the people who lived in the city of Rome from people born in the territories that Rome had conquered. If a man or boy was a citizen (women had some rights but couldn't be citizens in Rome), he had many privileges. Roman citizens had the right to vote and had a say in the way their country was run. Citizens had duties, too, such as paying taxes, attending assembly meetings, and serving in the Roman army. Citizens today have rights and responsibilities that differ from country to country. For example, many countries allow their citizens to vote, but some do not. Most nations require their citizens to pay taxes, just as Rome did. Some countries such as Israel, require all citizens - men and women - to serve in the military. The rights and duties of citizens depend on their country's type of government. A government is the organizations, institutions, and individuals who exercise political authority over a group of people.

Under the American system of government, citizens have many rights and responsibilities. Civics will help you understand those rights and responsibilities. You will discover that being a U.S. citizen means more than just enjoying the rights that the American system provides. Citizenship includes being a productive member of society. Americans participate in society in many ways. For example, most Americans belong to a family, go to school for several years, and work with other people. Americans are also members of their local communities - villages, towns, and cities. And in the U.S., you are a citizen of both your country and the state in which you live. Being an effective American citizen means fulfilling your duties and responsibilities as a member of each of the various groups of communities. You need training in order to become a good athlete or a good musician. Likewise, you need training in order to become a good citizen. What kind of training? First, you must understand the purpose of government. Next, you need to know how the government works, on the national, state, and local levels. You must also understand how the U.S. economic system works and how government and economy interact. Then, you are ready to explore ways to fulfill your role as a citizen.

Many scientists believe that __//NOTE//__//:// the first people to settle in North America came here from Asia between 12,000 and 40,000 years ago over the Bering Strait Land Bridge during the last Ice Age in search of food and warmer climates (especially when the food supply - buffalo, etc. - moved toward warmer climates). Over thousands of years, numerous Native American tribes would make up America. Europeans didn't arrive until the Age of Exploration when __//NOTE//__//:// Christopher Columbus came to the "New World" in 1492 in search of a different route to Asia...after Columbus's voyages, Europeans colonized North and South America. The Spanish colonized what is today America's West Coast as well as the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, and present day Florida. The French would develop colonies in what is the middle of the United States today. The English/British formed colonies along the Atlantic Coast - the 13 colonies - that would become the United States of America. The English colonies are the ones you've studies that declared independence from Britain and won the Revolutionary War and is the reason we celebrate the 4th of July.

Most of us are citizens simply because we were born in America. //__NOTE__//: A person born in the U.S. is **native-born**. Others are born in another nation, but move to a new nation. //__NOTE__//: **Immigrants** are people who came here from another country. Once they are here and become a member of the nation even though they are not citizens (yet), they are called aliens. //__NOTE__//: An **alien** is a permanent member of one nation, but still a citizen of another. There is a process that people go through to come to the U.S. and to become an immigrant, members of another nation must apply and be granted permission to come to America. There are some who sneak into America, mostly along our southern border, and are called //__NOTE__//: illegal immigrants - those who come to America illegally. The United States has laws on how many immigrants are allowed into the nation each year, which is called a quota. This excludes refugees. A //__NOTE__//: **refugee** is one trying to escape danger in their home nation.

News about America spread quickly. For newcomers willing to work hard, America held the promise of a good life. It had abundant space, rich resources with one precious resource: freedom. Over time, the British colonies grew and beginning in 1775 they fought the American Revolution. This newly independent country became the United States of America. It was founded on a strong belief in human equality and the right to basic liberties. The United States attracted people from around the world. Europeans came by the tens of thousands, mainly to the East Coast of the U.S. In the mid-1800s thousands of Chinese arrived on the West Coast. These new immigrants worked in factories and farms across the country. Businesses welcomes the new laborers to their expanding enterprises.

A census is the official counting of a population (which is done every 10 years) and according to the CIA World Factbook site, the __//NOTE//__: U.S. population as of July 2012 is 313,847,465. America has become what is known as the "melting pot," in which numerous ethnic groups and cultures make up the United States. America has been a land of immigrants as well. When an immigrant comes to America and wants to become a citizen, there is a specific process one has to go through. //__NOTE__//: **Naturalization** is the process of an alien becoming a citizen. There are five steps to this process. First, the alien must apply for a permanent visa. Second, the alien must apply for citizenship. Third, the alien is fingerprinted. Fourth, the alien is interviewed and must pass a test on Civics, U.S. History, and English. Finally, the alien must take an oath of allegiance to the United States. After this process, the alien or immigrant is officially a citizen.

**Being a Good Citizen:**
Citizens have rights and responsibilities that differ from country to country. Civic responsibilities and civic duties differ based on the style of government. For example, in a dictatorship one of the main duties of a citizen is to obey the dictator. Our Founding Fathers set up a system of rule in which the people have the power. //__NOTE__//: One of the main duties or responsibilities according to our Founders was to live according to your faith. The Founding Fathers were Christians and envisioned an America based on Judeo-Christian principles. The Founders set up a type of democracy, or rule by the people as our style of government. This means that //__NOTE__// an important civic responsibility in democracy is voting.

//__NOTE__//: **Citizenship** includes being a productive and active member in society (you are a citizen of your nation, state, town, community, school, job, etc.). Being an effective citizen means being a good citizen. There are various ways one can be a good citizen. Be a responsible family member. Respect and obey the law. Respect the rights and property of others. Be loyal to your country and proud of your country. Take part in your community and improve the life of your community. Take an active part in government. Use natural resources wisely. Be informed on key issues and be willing to take a stand on issues. Believe in equal opportunity for all. Respect individual differences, points of view, and ways of life that are different from your own.

A basic principle of American government is that public officeholders should respond to citizens' wishes. That is why most of the important positions in government are elected. Voters elect candidates who they think will best represent their views. If elected officials do not respond to the voters, people can vote them out in the next election. In this way, people govern themselves through the officials they elect. Voting is one of the most important of a citizens' responsibilities. But you can also help in other ways to choose the men and women who will govern. You can work for a political party, for example. Anyone who answers telephones or stuffs envelopes for a political party is playing a part in the U.S. political system. It is also your responsibility as a citizen to tell officials what you need or how you disagree with government action or policies. For example, you can write or call public officials or send letters to editors of newspapers.

Ten ways to be an effect citizen include:
 * Being a good family member.
 * Respect and obey laws.
 * Respect the rights and property of others.
 * Be loyal to and proud of your country.
 * Take part in and improve life in your community.
 * Take an active part in your government.
 * Use natural resources wisely.
 * Be informed on key issues and be willing to take a stand on those issues.
 * Believe in equal opportunity for all people.
 * Respect individual differences, points of view, and ways of life that are different than your own.

Character is another important aspect of citizenship. Being one of good //__NOTE__//: character would mean being trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring, and overall a good citizen.

**Values in America:**
There are various American values that are part of the foundations of America. //__NOTE__//: **Equality** means that people are to be treated the same under the law and have same opportunities. The Declaration of Independence acknowledges this value by stating the "all men are created equally endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Notice the definition says we have equal opportunity. This is what the Founding Fathers wanted when they created our democracy - for everyone to have the ability to choose their careers, spouses, religion, and other choices we enjoy today. There is a segment of the world and even some in the U.S. who believe that it's up to the government to provide equality in terms of wealth...taxing those who earn wealth and redistributing to those who don't earn wealth...this takes away the incentive to work hard. Another American value is //__NOTE__//: **liberty**, which means the same as freedom. We enjoy many freedoms in America, including the civil liberties listed in the Bill of Rights. A third value is //__NOTE__//: **justice**, which means the same as fairness. Justice is mostly used in the area of the law...when a person breaks the law, that person is punished...this would be justice. You say the words "liberty" and "justice" every day in the Pledge of Allegiance." Now you know they mean freedom and fairness. Another value in America is //__NOTE__//: **rule of law**, or that everyone must obey the law. Even our leaders, our Congress, our President, our judges....all citizens...must obey the law and will be punished for violating the law. Another value is //__NOTE__//: **democracy**, or rule by the people, with the U.S. being a republic form of democracy, which means we elect people to make decisions for us. //__NOTE__//: **Patriotism**, or proud to be American is another important value.

**Styles of Government:**
A //__NOTE__//: **government** is the organizations, institutions, and individuals who have political authority over the people. There are several purposes of government. The __//NOTE//__: purposes of government is to (1) keep us safe, (2) provide services, and (3) protect rights. There are several types of government that exist and can be broken down into non-democratic and democratic. Non-democratic governments are types in which the people don't have the power in a nation whereas democrat governments are types in which the people have power to control the government. One type of non-democratic governments is a //__NOTE__//: **dictatorship**, which an individual seizes power through fear or force. Another is //__NOTE__//: a **monarchy**, or one in which a person gets power by birth - kings and queens. Another type of non-democratic governments that are seen in the Middle East is a //__NOTE__//: theocracy, or rule by religious clerics. In the Middle East, the religion of Islam controls several nations, most notably Iran. Finally, //__NOTE__//: a **Totalitarian** regime is one that controls all aspects of life in a nation. This style of government was that of Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and other ruthless dictators in history.

There are two major types of democrat style governments. A //__NOTE__// **direct democracy** is one in which the people make all decisions through voting. This style of democracy would be nearly impossible in a nation as large as ours. Voters would have to go to the ballot box almost daily to make government decisions. This isn't practical. Therefore, the Founders set up the other style of democracy, which we are...a //__NOTE__// **republic**, which the people elect leaders to make government decisions for them. This type is also called representative democracy. Officially, the U.S. is NOT a democracy...we are a republic. You say "republic" each day in the Pledge of Allegiance.

There are several purposes for government. Some argue that government should play a large role in our lives while others argue that it should play only a minor role in our lives. Whenever groups of people have lived in a community, they have found it necessary and useful to have rules and work together. They have formed a government. Government provides a way for people to unite, solve problems, and cooperate. Governments provide services. Over the years, government at all levels has grown more complex. Yet its basic purposes have remained the same. Governments provide expensive or important services to large groups of people who might otherwise have to do without the service. For example, by establishing schools, the government makes it possible to educate children. The federal government also protects people from attacks by foreign nations. In addition, police protect the lives and property while fire departments protect homes and businesses. Government also provides laws. The basic plan under which Americans live is contained in a constitution. This is a written plan of government. Americans have used constitutions to establish national and state governments. A constitution sets forth the purposes of the government and describes how the government is to be organized. Governments also provide laws for society. Laws must be constitutional to be valid. Laws are recorded so that people can know and obey them. Laws are passed by the government to guide and protect all of us.

The government of the United States has another purpose - to guarantee the freedoms of its citizens. Remember, a democratic country's government helps put into practice the ideals of the people - that is, the things in which they believe. The United States was founded on the belief that the people should rule themselves. Americans also believe that each person is important and that no one should be denied his or her rights. What are these rights? The Declaration of Independence describes these rights as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." To safeguard each citizen's liberty, the laws of the U.S. guarantee certain freedoms, including freedom of speech, the press, and religion. These freedoms can never be taken away from any U.S. citizen by the government. Nor can these rights be restricted, except to keep people from using these freedoms to violate the rights of others. For example, having free speech and press doesn't mean we are free to tell lies or write false statements about another person. Each citizen has the right to have his or her reputation protected. Most Americans believe that if any citizen is denied his or her rights, the liberty of all citizens is endangered. Thus, the U.S. government passed and enforces laws that guarantee equal rights for all citizens. For example, U.S. laws require that all Americans have equal access to education and employment, and have the right to vote. The U.S. Constitution and all state constitutions set out rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to all individuals. But those rights and freedoms do not take care of themselves. You, and all citizens like you, must take an active role in protecting and preserving those rights and freedoms.

**Foundation of America:**
The United States was not an independent nation from the start. It was originally 13 colonies beginning with Jamestown, VA, then Plymouth Rock with the Pilgrims, followed by the other colonies. __//NOTE//__: Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn when he was granted a charter in 1681 and developed PA on religious freedom (he was a Quaker and wanted to freely worship). __//NOTE//__: Penn's Charter of Privileges in 1701 showed PA's religious foundation and served as a guide to the rights of PA colonists. The colonists enjoyed living in the colonies and for the most part were left alone by the British monarch (king) and permitted to live their own lives. After the British and colonists defeated the French and the Indians in the French and Indian War, the British parliament began to levy (pass into law) new taxes on the colonists. This would lead to resentment (feeling of hostility toward the British crown and parliament).

The major reason the //__NOTE__//: were upset was due to this taxation without representation (the colonists weren't given a voice in the Parliament). There would be a growing movement towards independence as guys like Patrick Henry gave speeches - Henry being popular for saying //"give me liberty, or give me death.//" Eventually the Continental Congress agreed to declare independence from Great Britain. //__NOTE__//: Thomas Jefferson wrote the **Declaration of Independence** and on July 4, 1776 it was approved and signed. This is why the 4th of July is celebrated as Independence Day.

The Declaration of Independence listed the reasons the colonies decided to separate from Britain, such as the king taxing the colonists without consent (taxation without representation). It said the colonists believed that power of government came from //__NOTE__//: consent of the governed, or the belief that government power comes from the people's permission. The colonists felt that when government ignores the will of the people, then the people have the right to change the government. It said government must protect human rights, which are the basic rights people are entitled to (endowed, or given by their Creator - God), with certain unalienable rights (rights that can't be taken away). In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote that __//NOTE//__: our unalienable rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Declaration of Independence lists the reasons the colonies decided to separate from Great Britain and to form an independent country. For example, colonists objected to being taxed without their consent. The colonists believed that the power of government comes from the consent of the governed - the people of the country. If any government ignores the will of the people, the people have a legitimate right to change the government. Thus, the Declaration of Independence is much more than a document to justify independence. It is also a statement of American ideals. It explains tot he world in clear language that the purpose of government is to protect human rights, which are the basic rights to which all people are entitled. The Declaration clearly states these rights. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This passage is one of the most famous in American writing.

Over the years this language from the Declaration has come to mean that all Americans are equal under the law. Every person's rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are equal those rights for every other person. The signers of the Declaration realized that these ideals would be difficult to achieve. Yet they believed such ideals were worth, as the Declaration states at the end, "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

**American Government:**
Governments have several purposes. //__NOTE__//: Government is meant to keep us safe, provide law, and provide services. Our current government keeps us safe with laws and the military. Laws are to keep us safe and maintain order in society instead of chaos. The government also provides services such as schools for education, police and fire departments, road work, a system of money, and ensuring that cities have electricity, water, and sewage.

The Declaration of Independence was not a plan or a blueprint to provide a government. It merely told the British that the colonies were now independent nations who broke away together. The colonies would have two important tasks. First, would be to win the Revolutionary War against the British to win independence. Second, the Continental Congress had to adopt a form of government. //__NOTE__//: America's first plan for government was the **Articles of Confederation**. //__NOTE__//: A **confederation** is a loose association or "league of friendship" of independent states with a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation preserved state //__NOTE__//: **sovereignty**, or independence/absolute power.

There were problems with the Articles of Confederation since they set up a very weak central government. The states argued with each other over boundary lines. The states argued over trade - for example Maryland and Virginia argued over which state controlled the Chesapeake Bay. There was no president or executive branch to carry out laws passed by the Confederation Congress. There were no national courts to solve disputes between the states. In addition, the Confederation didn't have the power to tax and therefore couldn't raise money.

The writers of the Articles wanted to preserve the states' sovereignty, or absolute power. Thus, the Articles gave the power to enforce national laws to the states, rather than a national government. The Articles didn't set up a national court system. During the Revolutionary War, thenew states had problems working together to achieve victory. After the war, many Americans experienced difficult times. Property had been destroyed. Trade with other countries had slowed. American businesses suffered. Moreover, the war left the country deeply in debt. The Articles of Confederation had not given the new government the powers it needed to solve all these problems. After winning the Revolution, America was independent, but the states still saw themselves as citizens of their particular states and not citizens of America. Under the Articles, many states continued to have only limited contact with each other. This made it difficult for them to agree on the common interests and goals of the whole nation. The weaknesses of the national government became clear as the young country began to face new problems. The states quarreled over boundary lines. They became involved in disputes over trade. The national government was powerless to end these disagreements or to prevent new ones from arising. In addition to domestic troubles, the country looked weak to other nations. Many leaders began to favor strengthening the government. As a result, in 1787 states were to send representatives to meet in order to revise the Articles of Confederation.

By 1787, many in America realized the Articles needed fixed and called a convention in which delegates wrote a new plan for the government. They would write the new //__NOTE__//: **Constitution** - set up a republic with a federal system and is our current style of government. The delegates who wrote the new Constitution turned to their British heritage for ideas and advice and adopted principles of the new government. Two British documents that limited the power of the king were the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. These documents gave the colonists a framework for limiting the power of leaders. The British Parliament served as a guide for a lawmaking body. The delegates voted to hold their meeting in secret to avoid being pressured by outsiders and would be able to freely and openly discuss issues that needed changed.

The __//NOTE//__: **Constitutional Convention** was held from May to September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia. The new style of government would be a federal republic. Republic was already defined above as a type of democracy (rule by the people) in which the people elect leaders to make political decisions. An important aspect of our republic is that we are a federal republic. //__NOTE__//: Federalism means a nation with a strong central government with subdivisions that have power too. The federal, or national government in D.C. runs the whole nation, but each of the 50 states have power to run their states individually. The most serious argument at this convention was over the lawmaking body. The big states wanted the lawmaking body, or legislature, to be completely based on population. The small states were worried they wouldn't get a say in the new government and so they pushed for a lawmaking body with the same number of lawmakers from each state. This argument got so bad that the convention almost dissolved, or ended. However, the Great Compromise solved this biggest argument. //__NOTE__//: The Great Compromise created a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with the same number (2) from each state.

Once the new Constitution was written, it would go to the states for ratification, or approval. Some in the states supported it while others were against the creation of a central national government with power over the states. //__NOTE__//: Federalists were those who supported the Constitution and Anti-federalists were against it. //__NOTE__//: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the //Federalist Papers// to increase support for the new Constitution. In the end, the Constitution was ratified and set up the new government. George Washington was elected the first president under the Constitution.

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