Citizenship, Government, and Civic Duties Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering topics on government, citizenship history, civic duties, civic responsibilities, Supreme Court cases, and the naturalization process.

Allegiance

Loyalty or siding with a government, which citizens owe to their country.

Citizen

An individual with certain rights and duties who by birth or by choice owes allegiance to the government.

14th Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution stating that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and the State, guaranteeing equal protection under the law.

Duty

An action required of citizens by law; failure to fulfill a civic duty results in legal consequences, such as being charged and arrested.

Responsibility

An action that citizens should do for the common good; however, there are no legal consequences if a citizen does not perform it.

United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898)

A Supreme Court decision establishing that a person born in the U.S. is a citizen regardless of race or the citizenship status of their parents.

Plyler v. DOE

A Supreme Court decision ruling that children have a right to a free public education regardless of their citizenship status.

Two Ways to Become a Citizen

1. By birth (born in the U.S. or born in a foreign country to at least 1 American parent). 2. By naturalization.

Naturalization Prerequisites

The non-sequential requirements to become a naturalized citizen: be at least 19 years old (or 18), be a legal resident of the U.S. for at least 5 years (3 if married to a U.S. citizen), be of good moral character and loyal to the U.S., be able to read, write, and speak basic English, and know basic U.S. history.

Final Steps of Naturalization

The two mandatory sequential steps taken after fulfilling initial requirements: 1. Pass a naturalization test. 2. Take the oath of allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

Citizenship Status in 1789

In 1789, citizenship was held only by rich white men; women were not mentioned and had no rights.

Naturalization Act of 1790

Early federal policy establishing that free white men of good character who lived in the U.S. for two years could become citizens.

Legal Status of Black Americans in 1857

In 1857, it was decided that Black people, whether free or not, could not become U.S. citizens.

Chinese Immigration Ban (1882–1943)

In 1882, the first major ban on immigration of a specific nationality (Chinese) occurred; Chinese immigration was eventually reopened in 1943.

Native American Citizenship (1924)

The year in which Native Americans were granted full U.S. citizenship.

Examples of Duties of Citizenship

Obey the law, pay taxes, serve in the military (armed forces) if called/drafted, and serve on a jury or as a witness in court if summoned.

Examples of Civic Responsibilities

Register and vote, hold elective office, communicate with government officials, participate in political campaigns, and serve in voluntary appointed positions.

Common Good

Contributing positively as a good citizen to benefit the community as a whole.

Methods to Communicate with Government Officials

Three ways citizens can communicate with government officials to advocate for fair laws: petition, speech, and letter.

Elective Offices

Public elected positions citizens can hold, including member of the Board of Supervisors in Loudoun, member of the School Board in Loudoun, delegate in the General Assembly, senator in Congress, and President of the United States.