Citizenship in the Nation

1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means

Citizenship is membership in a political community (originally a city or town but now usually a country)
and carries with it rights to political participation; a person having such membership is a citizen. It is
largely coterminous with nationality,[citation needed] although it is possible to have a nationality without being
a citizen (i.e., be legally subject to a state and entitled to its protection without having rights of political
participation in it); it is also possible to have political rights without being a national of a state. In most
nations, a non-citizen is a non-national and called either a foreigner or an alien.

Citizenship is the political rights of an individual within a society. Thus, you can have a citizenship from
one country and be a national of another country. For example, a Cuban-American might be considered a
national of Cuba due to his being born there, but he could also become an American citizen through
naturalization. Nationality derives from either place of birth (i.e. jus soli), parentage (i.e. jus sanguinis), or
ethnicity and religion (as in Israel). Citizenship derives from a legal relationship with a state. Citizenship
can be gained through naturalization and lost through denaturalization.

and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country.

Citizenship status often implies some responsibilities and duties under social contract theory. "Active
citizenship" is the philosophy that citizens should work towards the betterment of their community
through economic participation, public service, volunteer work, and other such efforts to improve life for
all citizens. In this vein, schools in some countries provide citizenship education.

Discuss the rights,

  Adult citizens of the United States who are residents of one of the 50 
  states have the right to participate fully in the political system of the 
  United States, as well as their state and local governments (with most 
  states having restrictions on voting by persons imprisoned for felonies, 
  some states having restrictions on voting by people convicted of  felonies, 
  and a federal constitutional prohibition on naturalized persons running for 
  President and Vice President of the United States), are represented and 
  protected abroad by the United States (through U.S.  embassies and 
  consulates), and are allowed to reside in the United States and certain 
  territories without any immigration requirements.

duties,
Duty (from "due," that which is owing, O. Fr. deu, did, past participle  
of 
devoir; Lat. debere, debitum; cf. "debt") is a term that conveys a sense of 
moral commitment to someone or something. The moral commitment is the sort 
that results in action, and it is not a matter of passive feeling or mere 
recognition. When someone recognizes a duty, that person commits 
himself/herself to the cause involved without considering the self‐interested 
courses of actions that may have been relevant previously. This is not to 
suggest that living a life of duty precludes one from the best sort of life, 
but duty does involve some sacrifice of immediate self‐interest.  Jury Duty

and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen.

 
Citizens have the duty to serve in a jury, if selected. Citizens are also 
required to pay taxes on their total income from all sources worldwide, 
Including income earned abroad while residing abroad for at least 12 months – 
 but only beyond the first $85,700 in this case because of the foreign earned 
Income exclusion.[1] U.S. taxes payable may be alternatively reduced by 
credits for foreign income taxes regardless of the length of stay abroad. The 
United States Government also insists that U.S. citizens travel into and out 
of the United States on a U.S. passport, regardless of any other nationality 
they may possess.

Male U.S. citizens (including those living permanently abroad and/or with dual U.S./other citizenship) are
required to register with the Selective Service System at age 18 for possible conscription into the armed
forces. Although no one has been drafted in the U.S. since 1973, draft registration continues for possible r
einstatement on some future date.

In the Oath of Citizenship, immigrants becoming naturalized U.S. citizens swear to defend the
Constitution and laws of the US and, when required by the law, to bear arms on behalf of the U.S. and/or
perform noncombatant service.

2. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that
is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what
you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting
about it. Museum

(b) Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your
counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the
history. Madison State Capital

c) Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there
and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it
serves this nation.

(d) Choose a national monument that interests you.

Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and
other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor
what you learned,
and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens.

3. Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front
page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national
issues you learned about with your counselor.
See Newspapers.

Choose one of the issues

and explain how it affects you and your family.

4. Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your
counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different
without each one.
(a) Declaration of Independence

The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on
July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were no
longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration is a formal
 explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than
a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The birthday of the United States of
America—Independence Day—is celebrated on July 4, the day the wording of the Declaration was
approved by Congress.

After approving the wording on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms.
It was initially published as a printed broadside that was widely distributed and read to the public. The
most famous version of the Declaration, a signed copy that is usually regarded as the Declaration of
Independence, is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Contrary to popular mythology,
Congress did not sign this document on July 4, 1776; it was created after July 19 and was signed by most
Congressional delegates on August 2.

(b) Preamble to the Constitution

The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes
and guiding principles which the Constitution is meant to serve. It expresses in general terms the intentions of its
authors, is sometimes referred to by courts as evidence of what the Founding Fathers thought the Constitution
meant and what they hoped it would achieve (especially as compared with the Articles of Confederation).

“ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure
domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,[1] promote the general Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America. ”

Meaning and application 

The Preamble does not assign any powers to the federal government[2] or provide specific limitations on
government action. Due to the Preamble's limited nature, it has almost certainly never been relied upon by any
court as the decisive factor in deciding a case,[3] except in apparently frivolous circumstances.[4]

(c) The Constitution

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It provides the
framework for the organization of the United States Government. The document defines the three main branches of
the government: The legislative branch with a bicameral Congress, an executive branch led by the President, and a
judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court. Besides providing for the organization of these branches, the
Constitution carefully outlines which powers each branch may exercise. It also reserves numerous rights for the
individual states, thereby establishing the United States' federal system of government. It is the shortest and oldest
written constitution of any major sovereign state.[1]

The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later ratified by conventions in each U.S. state in the name of "The People"; it has
since been amended twenty-seven times, the first ten amendments being known as the Bill of Rights.[2][3] The
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was actually the first constitution of the United States of America.[4]
The U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation as the governing document for the United States, and
transformed the constitutional basis of government from confederation to federation, also making it the world's
oldest federal constitution.[5] The Constitution has a central place in United States law and political culture.[6] The
handwritten, or "engrossed", original document is on display at the National Archives and Records Administration
in Washington, D.C.
(d) Bill of Rights

In the United States, the Bill of Rights is the name by which the first ten amendments to the United States
Constitution are known.[1] They were introduced by James Madison to the First United States Congress in 1789 as
a series of constitutional amendments, and came into effect on December 15, 1791, when they had been ratified by
three-fourths of the States. The Bill of Rights limits the powers of the federal government of the United States,
protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory. Thomas Jefferson was the main
proponent of the Bill of Rights.[2]

The Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms, the freedom of
assembly, the freedom to petition, and freedom of the press. It also prohibits unreasonable search and seizure, cruel
and unusual punishment, and compelled self-incrimination. The Bill of Rights also prohibits Congress from
making any law respecting establishment of religion and prohibits the federal government from depriving any
person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. In federal criminal cases, it requires indictment by
grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime", guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial jury composed of
members of the state or judicial district in which the crime occurred, and prohibits double jeopardy. In addition, the
Bill of Rights states that "the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people,"[3] and reserves all powers not granted to the federal government to the
citizenry or States. Most of these restrictions were later applied to the states by a series of decisions applying the
due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, after the American Civil War.

Madison proposed the Bill of Rights while ideological conflict between Federalists and anti-Federalists, dating
from the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, threatened the overall ratification of the new national Constitution. It
largely responded to the Constitution's influential opponents, including prominent Founding Fathers, who argued
that the Constitution should not be ratified because it failed to protect the basic principles of human liberty. The
Bill was influenced by George Mason's 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, the 1689 English Bill of Rights,
works of the Age of Enlightenment pertaining to natural rights, and earlier English political documents such as
Magna Carta (1215).

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the
press, and of assembly; right to petition

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the

free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.

• Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms.

A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

• Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.

 No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the
Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

• Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

• Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain.

No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless
on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or
naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger;
nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life
or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor
be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private
property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

• Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause,
speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been
committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be
informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses
against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to
have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

• Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury.

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise
re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the
common law.

• Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.

• Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of

Rights.
 The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.

• Tenth Amendment – Powers of states and people.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it
to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

(e) Amendments to the Constitution

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose
Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of
the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which in either Case,
shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the
Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof,
as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that
no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight
shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first
Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the
Senate. ”
Immunity of states from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not February 7, Full
11th March 4, 1794
living within the state borders. Lays the foundation for sovereign immunity. 1795 text

December 9, June 15, Full

12th Revision of presidential election procedures
1803 1804[2] text

January 31, December Full

13th Abolition of slavery, except as punishment for a crime.
1865 6, 1865 text

Citizenship, state due process, applies Bill of Rights to the states, revision
July 9, Full
14th to apportionment of Representatives, Denies public office to anyone who June 13, 1866
1868[3] text
has rebelled against the United States

February 26, February 3, Full

15th Suffrage no longer restricted by race
1869 1870[4] text

February 3, Full
16th Allows federal income tax July 12, 1909
1913 text
 April 8, Full
17th Direct election to the United States Senate May 13, 1912
1913 text

December 18, January 16, Full

18th Prohibition of alcohol (Repealed by 21st amendment)
1917 1919 text

August 18, Full

19th Women's suffrage June 4, 1919
1920 text

Term Commencement for congress (January 3) and president (January 20.) January 23, Full
20th March 2, 1932
(This amendment is also known as the "lame duck amendment".) 1933 text

February 20, December Full

21st Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment; state and local prohibition permitted
1933 5, 1933 text

March 24, February Full

22nd Limits the president to two terms
1947 27, 1951 text

March 29, Full

23rd Representation of Washington, D.C. in the Electoral College June 16, 1960
1961 text

24th
Prohibition of the restriction of voting rights due to the non-payment of poll September 14, January 23, Full
taxes 1962 1964 text

February Full
25th Presidential Succession July 6, 1965
10, 1967 text

March 23, July 1, Full

26th Voting age nationally established as age 18 (see suffrage)
1971 1971 text

September 25, May 7, Full

27th Variance of congressional compensation[1]
1789 1992 text
5. List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the
Constitution.
Function Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your
family and local community.

1. Form a more perfect Union... States working together

2. Establish Justice... Make and enforce laws

3. Ensure Domestic Tranquility... Peace in our country

4. Provide for the Common Defense... Keep country safe from an attack

5. Promote the General Welfare... Contribute and promote happiness

6. Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity... Make sure we stay free

6. With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical

importance.

Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who
gave the speech.
Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given,
and tell how it applies to American citizens today.
Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to
you,and tell your counselor why.

Speech: President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Author: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. He was also the commander
and Chief of the Union Army during the Civil war.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation,
conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we
are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so
dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to
dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger
sense we can not dedicate ~ we can not consecrate ~ we can not hallow this ground. The brave
men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or
detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here but it can never forget
what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we
here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from the earth."

Importance of the speech: In 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of one of the
bloodiest and most important battles during the Civil War. Over 51,000 causalities had been
suffered on both sides. Four months later President Lincoln gave this speech to dedicate a
cemetery on this battlefield site. Even though the speech was only 2 minutes long it left a
lasting impression on Americans, even to this day. Lincoln reminded everyone what we were
fighting for - "one nation under God". Not a separated nation. He also claimed that the nation
built by our fore fathers "shall not perish from the earth". In other words, he would not allow
the country to be destroyed.

Sentence and what it means: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on
this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men
are created equal."

What this sentence means to me is, in 1776 our fore fathers signed the "Declaration of
Independence" creating a new nation. I also believe that Lincoln was reminding us that "all men
were created equal", indicating that the war was also being fought to end slavery.

7. Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your
counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each
branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the
system of checks and balances.
Branch:
Function:

In the United States Constitution Article I Section 8 places all the power of the government in
the Congress which makes all the laws. Since the Constitution was written the Executive and
Judicial branches have attempted to place checks and balances on the power of Congress. The
Supreme Court established the implication of Judicial review in Marbury vs Madison.[8] The
federal government refers to the branches as "branches of government", while some systems
use "government" to describe the executive. The Executive branch has attempted to usurp
power from Congress arguing for Separation of powers to include being the Commander in
Chief of a standing army since the Civil war, executive orders, emergency powers and security
classifications since WWII, national security, signing statements, and now the concept of a
unitary executive .

[edit] Checks and balances 

To prevent one branch from becoming supreme, and to induce the branches to cooperate,
governance systems that employ a separation of powers need a way to balance each of the
branches. Typically this was accomplished through a system of "checks and balances", the
origin of which, like separation of powers itself, is specifically credited to Montesquieu. Checks
and balances allows for a system based regulation that allows one branch to limit another, such
as the power of Congress to alter the composition and jurisdiction of the federal courts.
Legislative Executive Judicial
• Also known as • Preserves, protects • Determines which jurisdiction any
Congress and defends the given case falls under
• Makes all laws. Constitution • Judges when a law is
• Controls all the • Faithfully executes unconstitutional
money; taxes, the laws of the • Has the responsibility to administer
borrows, and sets United States Constitutional law and to apply it to
the budget. • Executes the constitutional disputes
• Has sole power to instructions of • Determines the disposition of
declare war. Congress prisoners
• Oversees, • May veto laws but • May legally compel testimony and
investigates, and the veto may be the production of evidence as the
makes the rules for overridden by law provides.
the government and Congress by a 2/3 • Judges and competently administers
its officers. majority. uniform policies via the appeals
• Appoints the heads • Executes the process, but gives discretion in
of the executive spending authorized individual cases to low-level judges.
branch. by Congress (The amount of discretion depends
• Confirms Supreme • Executes the upon the standard of review,
Justice instructions of determined by the type of case in
appointments. Congress when it question.)
• Ratifies treaties. declares war or • Oversees and administers members
• Originates cases of makes rules for the of the judiciary
impeachment. military • Is subject to impeachment by
• Declares states of Congress
emergency and
publishes regulations
and executive orders
• Appoints judges with
the advice and
consent of the Senate
• Has the power to
grant pardons for
crimes against the
United States

Legislative – two houses of congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives.
They make the laws. (page 17-18)
Executive – President – enforce and administer the laws. (page 19-20)
Judicial – interprets the laws. The Supreme Court is the highest level of the federal court
system. It is composed of a chief justice and 8 associate justices.
(explain the other courts, page 20-21)

Explain the checks and balances on each branch:

1) The executive branch (president) can check the judicial branch by appointing judges
and granting pardons. The president can check the legislative branch by suggesting
legislation, appointing officials, making treaties and setting budgets. The most
important check the president has is the power to veto legislation.
2) The judicial branch can check the legislative branch by deciding if their actions are
within the framework of the Constitution. It can check the executive branch by deciding
if his actions are within the framework of the Constitution and by presiding over
presidential impeachments in Congress.
3) The legislative branch can check the judicial branch by determining the jurisdiction of
federal courts, by establishing and abolishing lower courts. Congress can check the
executive branch by passing legislation over the presidential veto and having the power
to impeach the president.