Civics: Unit 2 Americans, Citizenship & Government

Monarchy

A king or queen rules the country.

Theocracy

A government that recognizes God or a divine being as the ultimate authority. Religous law is used to settle disputes and rule the people.

Democracy

Citizens hold the political power.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government. The elected leaders or representatives do the day to day work of governing the country.

Direct Democracy

there are no representatives. Citizens are directly involved in the day to day work of governing the country. Citizens may participate in lawmaking or act as judges.

Government

A government is a ruling authority that has the power to make and carry out decisions for the community.

Dictator

A ruler with absolute control over a country. They do not represent citizens.

Unitary System

All authority held by central government. Central government has power to create, modify, or abolish local units and allocate or withdraw powers to local units as it sees fit. Can give or takeaway power. Pros: going to be uniform. Cons: might not be beneficial to everyone. EX: Japan, UK, France

Federal System

Power divided and shared between central and local governments. Central and local governments must agree to make changes. System of dual sovereignty (each possess certain powers and responsibilities). Pros: Focuses on central things but also local which can help be specific. Cons: when they share power they have to agree on changes. EX: United States.

Confederal System

Alliance of independent states. States delegate limited powers to a central authority. Common defense, trade, foreign affairs. No power of enforcement. Decision making require unanimous consent of all member states. Opposite of a unitary system. Con: because all power is held by local gov’ts it has no enforcement of others following the law or rules. Central authority is weak. Very few changes happen. Not as succesful.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another with intentions of settling, permenatly or temporarily, at a new location.

Emigration

The act of leavings ones own country to settle permanently in another. Want citizenship.

Immigration

International movement of people to another country, where they do not possess citizenship, in order to settle as permanent residents or naturalized citizens.

Reasons people immigrate

Environmental factors

Healthcare

Family reunification

Education

work oppurtunites

Marriage

Escape from natural disasters, conflict, violence, persecution, etc.

Refugee

A person who leaves their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of his or her religion, nationality, political views, or membership in a particular social group.

Asylum

Shelter or protection from danger granted by a country to someone forced to leave their home country.

Citizenship

The status of having the rights, privaleges, and duties of a legal member of a group.

Birthright Citizenship

Automatically become a US citizen if born in the following locations:

Any 50 states or D.C.

An American territory

On a U.S. Military Base

A person can claim citizenship if both of thier parents are U.S. citizens, or if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen and has lived in the U.S.

Naturalization

The legal process of obtaining citizenship.

Eligibility Requirements for Natuarlization

At least 18 years old

Lawful Permenant Resident for 5 years

Read, write, and speak English

Good moral character

Understand US History and Civics

Right

Something garunteed by our constitution and proctected by our laws and by the court system.

Resposibility

A voluntary action that is important part of being a citizen/ member of the country

Duty

An action that is required by law, of citizens.

Visa

A document granting someone legal permission to enter, leave, or stay in a country for a specified amount of time. Status becomes a nonresident alien which is someone who expects to stay in the US for a short period of time.

Green Card

Permanent resident is a person who is not a citizen of a country but has been granted the legal right to live there indefinitely. Green cards last 5-7 years and you could live the rest of your life on a green card. Status becomes resident aliens which are legal immigrants who permanently live in the US and is allowed to stay as long as they wish.

Oath of allegiance

The last step of becoming a citizen is passing the citizenship test, and saying the oath of allegiance. Then you will be granted your citizenship.

Bracero Program (1932-1964)

An agreement that allowed Mexicans to temporarily work in the USA. Mostly filled railroad and farming jobs. Program intended to last the length of WWII, but continued on until agriculture became mechanized.

IRCA (Immigration Reform & Control Act)

Penalized employers for hiring illegal immigrants. Provided a path towards citizenship. Increased border security.

Dream Act (2001)

Proposed law for illegal immigrants who came to the USA as minors. A pathway to citizenship for those who have graduated high school and have lived in the USA for at least 5 years. (Never actually passed the law)

DACA (Deferred Action for childhood Arrivals) (2012)

Provides temporary relief from deportation (deferred action) for illegal minors. Allows recipients to gain work permits.