This document provides an overview of civics and citizenship in the United States. It defines key terms like civics, citizen, and government. It describes American ideals of freedom and equality. It also outlines the naturalization process for immigrants to become citizens and discusses the growing diversity of the US population in terms of ethnicity, family structure, geographic distribution, and an aging population.

1. CIVICS
CHAPTER 1
WE THE PEOPLE

2. SECTION 1
CIVICS IN OUR LIVES

3. THE MEANING OF CIVICS
• CIVICS – the study of what it means to be a
US citizen
• Citizen – a leagally 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 grant citizens rights and
requires responsibilities of them
• Americans are also “citizens” of smaller
communities, enjoying rights and
responsibilities there as well

4. American Ideals
• Freedom and equality
– US citizens are all guarenteed by law the same
rights and freedoms, as long as you 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

5. Government by the People
• In the US, the people rule through the officials
they elect
– Republic
– 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

6. Qualities of a Good Citizen
1. Are responsible family members
2. Respect and obey the laws of the land
3. Respect the rights and property of others
4. Are loyal to their country and proud
5. Take part in and improve life in their communities
6. Take an active part in their government
7. Use natural resources wisely
8. 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

7. CHAPTER 1
SECTION 2
Who are US Citizens?

8. Citizenship and Immigration
• Most Americans are native-born citizens
• 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
• 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
• Refugees flee persecution in other countries
– The President and Congress make decisions about
accepting them

9. 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

10. 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

11. CHAPTER 1
SECTION 3
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
TODAY

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 nation’s top tem cities are in the Sunbelt
CHART

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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 nation’s older population,
which continues to grow