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Citizenship Handbook

Citizenship Handbook. Understanding our Government. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution. Ancient Rome Republic Government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives Dictatorship Government in which one person or a small group holds complete authority

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Citizenship Handbook

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  1. Citizenship Handbook Understanding our Government

  2. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution • Ancient Rome • Republic • Government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives • Dictatorship • Government in which one person or a small group holds complete authority • Plan of the Framers • They hoped to emulate the Roman Republic • People willing to serve in public office • The people serving do so for the good of the country • Planned to avoid a dictatorship • Roman Republic faltered when citizens began to value comfort and luxury more than freedom and public service • They planned to build a system where informed, independent citizens play an active role

  3. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution • Two Historic Documents • Magna Carta • British Nobles forced King John to sign this in 1215 • English Bill of Rights • Issued by Queen Mary in 1689 • How these documents affected us? • They created an English tradition of liberty • They provided some principles which we put into our own government • Citizens have rights which government must protect • Even the head of government must obey the law • Taxes cannot be raised without the consent of the people • Elections should be held frequently • Right to trial by jury and habeas corpus • People have the right to private property

  4. Part 1: Ideas Behind the Constitution • Teachings of the Enlightenment • John Locke • People have natural rights – life, liberty, property • Government exists to protect those rights • If government fails – the people have a right to rebel • Montesquieu • Separation of powers • Powers of government should be divided between three branches • Representative Traditions & The Declaration • From early on all the colonies had some government • House of burgesses, mayflower compact, written charter that defined powers of their government • Jefferson called on these when writing the declaration • He used the ‘violations’ to create a list of grievances

  5. Part 2: Structure of the Constitution • Three Parts • Preamble • Outlines 6 basic goals for the new government (see page 254) • Defense, Welfare, Tranquility, Justice, Union, Liberty • Articles • There are 7 of them • The establish the framework for the whole government • 1-3 establish the 3 branches • 4 deals with relations between states • 5 tells how to change the constitution • 6 Constitution is top dog! • 7 how to ratify • Amendments • There are 27 of them – these are official changes to the Constitution

  6. Part 3: Principles of the Constitution • Popular Sovereignty • The people give the power to the government • Limited Government • Government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it • Separation of powers • Further limits the government – one branch has its own duties • They cant do the job of another branch – nobody can become too strong • Page 256 diagram • Checks and Balances • Each branch of government can limit the power of the other 2 • Page 257 diagram

  7. Part 3: Principles of the Constitution • Federalism • Power is divided between the federal government and the state governments • Republicanism • We elect people to represent us in government • Individual Rights • Government protects our individual freedoms

  8. Part 4: The Legislative Branch • The Senate • Based on equal representation (2 senators from each state) • They serve 6 year terms • The House • Based on proportionate representation (435 total) • Elected for 2 year terms • Power of Congress • They make the laws • Introduce a bill which is a proposal • The bill is debated on, changed, amended, and voted on • When it passes one of the houses – it is sent to the other • When it passes both houses – it goes to the president for approval • Congressional Committees • Special groups that focus on different issues (education, defense, transportation etc.)

  9. Part 5: Executive Branch • Powers of the President • Make appointments • Commander in chief • Veto bills • Negotiate treaties • Propose laws…… • Grant pardons • Direct government policy • Electing the President • It’s a complex system for a simple process • Voters do not actually vote for the ‘president’ • They vote for a group of chosen electors who pledge to cast their vote for that candidate • States get votes according to their population (equal to the number of senators and reps a state has)

  10. Part 6: The Judicial Branch • Courts • Lower Courts • District and appeals courts hear cases • Jurisdiction • Power to hear and decide a case • Appeal • Ask that a decision be reviewed by a higher court • Supreme Court • Justices appointed by the president and approved by conress • Their job is to review laws and lower court cases • They are the last and highest court in the land • Judicial Review • The Supreme Court can declare laws to be unconstitutional • This is their check/balance

  11. Part 7: Amending the Constitution • Article V of the Constitution • Allows ways to Amend or ‘change’ • Proposing and Amendment • Congress can propose an amendment if: • Both the house and the senate vote for a change • All 27 amendments have been done this way • States can propose an amendment • 34 states must call for a national convention and formally propose an amendment • Ratifying • To become a change the proposal must be approved by the states • Two ways • 38 state legislatures pass it (75%) • State conventions can pass it (special meetings to discuss an issue) • Only the 21st was passed this way

  12. Part 7: Amending the Constitution • The Bill of Rights • Since the Constitution controls how government works people wanted to make sure that there was a way to protect their rights • The bill of rights was added after the constitution was ratified • It contains 10 amendments • These protect the rights of individuals and states from government abuses

  13. Part 8: The First Amendment • Freedom of Religion • Ability to choose, follow, and create religions • Freedom of Speech • You can speak your mind in our country • Freedom of Assembly • Peacefully assemble in protest or support of a cause • Freedom of the Press • Press has a right and RESPONSIBILITY to report the TRUTH! • Know libel, censorship, and dissent

  14. Part 9: State and Local Governments • States resemble the Federal government • Divided into three branches (L-E-J) • Governor is the executive • State Services • Law enforcement, transportation, parks, schools • Local Governments • City Council and Mayor • Most $$$ in a community is spent on education • Local governments interact with us daily • Firefighters, police officers, city workers etc.

  15. Part 10: Rights and Responsibilities • Becoming and American Citizen • Must fulfill one of the following 3 requirements • Born in the U.S. or have a parent as a U.S. Citizen • Naturalized • Be 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized • Becoming naturalized • Live legally in the U.S. for 5 years • Apply for citizenship • Take a citizenship examination and go through interviews • Take a citizenship oath before a judge

  16. Part 10: Rights and Responsibilities • Rights of Citizens • You have all the rights guaranteed in the constitution • The right to further protection from established laws • Responsibilities of Citizens • You MUST • Obey state, federal, and local laws • Pay your fair share of taxes • Serve on juries if called • Defend the nation if called • You should • Vote • Stay informed • Serve the community • Help create a just society

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