Social studies chapter 1, lesson 2 &3

Becoming a citizen

List the requirements in which a person is eligible for citizenship

1. Age 18 or older

2. Been a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for five years

3. Able to read, write and speak English

4. Be of good moral character (no criminals)

5. Show an understanding of US civics- take a test

List and explain how an American can lose their citizenship

• Expatriation. Someone who gives his or her allegiance to a foreign country is expatriated. An example is a person who becomes a naturalized citizen of another country.

• Denaturalization. Naturalized citizens who are found to have lied on their citizenship application are denaturalized. That is, they lose their naturalization. They may then be deported, or sent out of the country.

• Being convicted of certain crimes. Those guilty of any of three very serious crimes can lose citizenship. The crimes are treason, taking part in a rebellion, and trying to overthrow the government by violent means.

List and explain duties of an American citizen

Obey laws: helps maintain order

Pay taxes: provides most of the money the government needs to keep running

Defend the Nation: selective service system, if drafted called for military service

Serve in court: jury duty, serve as a witness at a trial if called to

Attend school: ages 6-17, prepares students for their future who can keep economy

Refugee

a person who has unwillingly left his or her home to escape war, famine, or other disaster

Treason

the crime of betraying one's country by attempting to overthrow its government, waging war against it, or giving aid and comfort to its enemies

Aliens

a foreign-born resident of the United States who has not been naturalized

Consent of the governed

Citizens give their consent, or agreement, by participating in the government

the political principle that a government's legitimacy and right to exercise power are valid only when approved and agreed upon by the people it rules

Civics

the study of the rights and duties of citizens

Citizenship

rights and duties of members of a state

Naturalization

a legal process to obtain citizenship

Volunterism

the practice of offering your time and services to others without payment

Citizen

community member who owes loyalty to the government and is entitled to protection from it

Duties

a thing we are required to do

Responsibilities

an obligation that we fulfill voluntarily

Selective Service System

In the United States, the law requires most male citizens aged 18 to 25 to register with the Selective Service System (SSS). The SSS is a government agency that keeps a record of all males in this age span. In the event of war or extreme national emergency, the government may need to draft, or call for military service, men from this list