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Chapter 3:
The Meaning of Citizenship
“ I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America, and to the Republic, for
which it stands, one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
History of the Pledge of Allegiance
First appeared in 1892 in a 1924 “my Flag”
magazine called The Youth’s changed to “the Flag of
Companion. Original
attributed to Francis Bellamy the United States of
who organized a program for America”
public schools to celebrate Officially recognized by
the 400th Anniversary of FDR & Congress in 1942
Columbus Day.
Originally stated: “I pledge On Flag Day June 14,
allegiance to my Flag and the 1954 President Dwight
Republic for which it stands; D. Eisenhower added
one Nation indivisible with “under God” (pg 55).
liberty and justice for all.”
In order to separate the
US from atheistic
communist nations
The Pledge of Allegiance
Do you have to say Right hand over
the pledge? your heart
Can not force you to Bellamy salute was
say it changed by FDR in
Will be disciplined if 1942 because it was
disrespectful too similar to Hitler’s
Controversy in the salute
state courts over
whether students
must stand during
the pledge
Taking God out of the pledge?
Taking God out of the pledge?
2004
A Californian father said that he and his
daughter were offended that she had to
listen to the word God everyday because
they are atheists
Separation of church and state
Lost in the Supreme Court because he did
not have full custody of his daughter
Chapter Overview
“ Being a citizen of the United States by birth
or naturalization, involves rights, duties, and
responsibilities. Fulfilling these responsibilities
helps to contribute to the common good.
Throughout life, each individual plays many
social roles that change, overlap and even
conflict. It is important for students to
understand that civic responsibility supports
the basic values that unite American society”
(pg. 54)
Key Terms
Citizen Gradual tax
Naturalization Flat tax
Aliens Contempt of court
Right Rule of law
Duties Laws
Responsibilities Constitution
IRS Supreme Court
Truancy Selective service
Common good Draft dodger
Sales tax Conscientious objector
Income tax Jury of peers
Civil trial Witness
Criminal trial Defendant
Plaintiff Prosecution
subpoena
Who is a Citizen?
Our Constitution says that a citizen of
the United States is a person who, by
birth or by choice, owes allegiance to
this nation
You are legally an American citizen if any
of the following statements are true:
At least one of your
You were born in the parents was an
United States or one of American citizen when
its territories (U.S. you were born
Virgin Islands, Guam, As long as one of your
Puerto Rico, American parents is a citizen, it
does not matter where
Soma) you were born
This is even true if your
parents are not American
You have been
citizens, unless they were naturalized, which
living in the US as a means you have gone
representative of a through the process of
foreign nation becoming a citizen
If you were younger than
18 when your parents
became citizens
The Naturalization Process
Step 2: Examination
18 or older
Aliens (a citizen of one
Legal residence in the
country that lives in
country for at least 5
another) must go years; in state for at
through the least 3 months
naturalization process in Good moral character
order to become a (not having been
citizen of the United convicted of certain
crimes)
States
Loyalty to the principles
Step 1: Application & of the U.S. Constitution
Fee Ability to read, write, and
Submitted through U.S. speak English
Citizenship and Knowledge of US history
Immigration Services and government
$ 675.00 as of 2008
Citizenship Test
Do you have what it takes to become a
citizen?
The Naturalization Process
(cont’d)
Step 3: Final Hearing
Applicant appears before a citizenship
court
Review of the application
Judge asks applicant to take an oath of loyalty
to the United States
The applicant receives a certificate of
citizenship
Naturalized Citizens
Have all the same rights as duties of
citizens by birth except the right to be
President or Vice President
Once a citizen you will always be a
citizen except:
Give up citizenship to be a citizen of
another country
May be taken away if convicted of trying to
overthrow the US Government
Illegal Aliens
The Office of Citizen
“ Government of the people, by the people,
and for the people” ~ Abraham Lincoln
Government has the right to make laws, build
roads, collect taxes, and make agreements with
other countries only if the citizens want it to
Power of government is based on “the consent of
the people”
Citizens have the right to decide what government will
and will not do
The Office of Citizen
Impossible for each citizen represent
themselves in government
Elect Representatives
People who are elected to speak and act for their fellow
citizens in government (many different offices: governor,
mayor, members of congress, President of the United
States)
Representatives only hold office only as long as we want
them to (we delegate/lend our power to elected officials)
Office of citizen is a life long position
Rights, Duties, &
Responsibilities
Being a citizen is much like having a
driver’s license
Right: to drive on public roads and park in
authorized parking places
Duties: required by law such as observing
traffic signals (red light, stop sign) and
speed limits
Responsibilities: expected to drive in a way
that does not endanger others
Rights of Citizens
The right to hold office These rights, and our
and vote other rights as citizens,
The right to say what are based on the
you think in speech or fundamental beliefs and
writing (as long as it values Americans share:
does not infringe on the equal respect, freedom,
rights of others equality, and justice
The right to practice Our rights are
your own religion guaranteed by the
The right to have a fair Constitution and
trial protected by the
Supreme Court
Duties of Citizens
Obeying the laws
Defending the nation
Serving on a jury or as a witness in
court
Paying taxes
Attending school
Obeying the Laws
Obeying the laws
Society’s formal rules are called laws
Some laws are intended to keep us from
hurting each other (from traffic lights to
laws against armed robbery)
Other laws established for making and
settling disagreements
Must obey laws that protect other citizens’
rights
The Rule of Law
In a democracy, no individual is above the
law, not even the President
The concept of a government of laws, rather
than of men and women, is called the rule of
law.
Officials must base their decisions off of the
law, not personal opinion.
If an official breaks the law, they must be
treated the same as any other citizen
Our laws are public; citizens know the basic
laws of the land
Defending our Nation
Men must register with
The United States
maintains armed the selective service
services even during when they turn 18
peacetime so that we Registration does not mean
can defend ourselves in they will be called to serve,
case of an attack and but they can be called to serve
help other countries in a national emergency
protect themselves What if moral beliefs prohibit a
When 18 years old man from fighting? They may
request to be registered as a
you may volunteer to conscientious objector. If
serve in the Army, request is approved they may
Navy, Air Force, or be placed in an army hospital
Marines etc.
What if someone dodges the draft or
doesn’t register with the selective to
service?
Selective Service Draft Dodging
Fast Facts US went to full volunteer
All men ages 18-26 military in 1973
required to register Prison time and a fine for
$250,000 fine dodging the draft,
5 years in prison followed by enlistment
Not eligible for Federal Vietnam draft dodgers
Financial Aid went to Canada
Not eligible for Estimated 20,000-
government jobs 30,000 (Wikipedia)
1977 amnesty declared
by President Carter
Still could be arrested if
returned to the united
States
Serving on a Jury
In our legal system, a person
is considered “innocent until Judge doesn’t make final
proved guilty” and no person decision in a criminal trial
may be found guilty of a unless requested by the
crime unless that guilt can defendant
be proved “beyond a Constitution guarantees that
reasonable doubt.” anyone accused of a crime
We believe the best way to may have the case decided
by a jury of peers ~ a group
prove a person’s innocence of ordinary citizens who hear
is to conduct a trial with the case and decide whether
citizens participating in the the accused person is
process innocent or guilty
Lawyers, police officers, The decision of the jury is
psychologists play an based upon the evidence
important role in trial, but heard at the trial
they do not make the final
decision as to innocence or
guilt
Differences Between a Civil
and Criminal Trial
Civil Trial
A private party files a suit and Criminal Trial
becomes the plaintiff; accused Suit is filed by the
becomes the defendant government
Punishment is never (prosecution), accused
incarceration; only becomes the defendant
reimbursement for losses Punishment could be
Jury usually not selected unless incarceration, a fine, or
defendant requests a jury; final death penalty (in some
decision usually made by Judge states)
depending on how much total Jury is always selected
losses are being claimed by the unless the defendant
plaintiff; jury decision does not requests the Judge to
have to be unanimous (8 to 4) make the decision
Small claims court (Judge Judy) Jury must 100% agree to
Both parties have agreed not to convict or acquit
have a jury “hung jury”
Jury Duty
How are citizens selected
for jury duty? Can you get out of jury
May be selected randomly duty?
from the electoral roll or by
driver’s license number No professions are
Every citizen age 18 and exempt
over is eligible Exemption forms can be
Summons letter filled out for
Call morning of to see if
medical/mental reasons,
beginning of alphabet or active military service,
end of alphabet can request
Cannot send someone postponement (mother
else in your place! of 5 kids)
Can only be summoned Age-related excusal for
once every 12 months if
service doesn’t last longer people over 75
than 3 days
If lasts longer than 3 days
can’t be summoned for the
next 3 years
Jury Duty
What if you refuse to Are citizens paid for
show up for jury jury duty?
duty? Allegheny County
$9.00 per day if
Risk of fines or
selected plus .17 cents
imprisonment per mile; $25 per day
after 3 days of service
Does not reimburse for
parking
Not all jobs pay
employees for jury duty
Mrs. H doesn’t lose
any $ but would have
to pay the district the
$ from jury duty
Jury Duty
Who picks the jury? How many members
Prosecuting and Defense are on a jury?
attorneys interview and
agree on who the jurors Usually 12 members
will be on a jury in a
Attorneys can only criminal trial
“strike” so many
possible jurors….risk
ending up with a jury
they are not happy with
if they “strike” too many
Serving as a Witness
During a trial lawyers Juries and witnesses
on both sides may call play an important part
witness to prove their in making sure trials are
case fair
Witnesses are people
who have seen events Since Americans have
related to the crime or the right to a fair trial, it
have special information is the duty of all adult
that may help citizens to serve as
determine the guilt or jurors and witnesses
innocence of the person when called to do so
on trial
What if a witness refuses to
testify?
Held in contempt of court
Fine or jail time
Subpoena
A written demand to appear in court to testify
literally means “under penalty”
Options
1 show up to court)
2 attempt to convince the court you don’t have to show
up to court
Be held in contempt of court
Fine or jail time
Paying Taxes
Through paying taxes,
our local, state, and
Income tax
national government Gradual tax
raise money to pay for The more you make
the services that the more you pay
citizens ask them to Federal Income Tax
provide $87.09
$2,649.62 so far
Sales tax
this year
Flat tax PA Income Tax
Everyone pays the same $49.38
amount $1,317.09 so far
Student, teacher, Big Ben this year
all pay the same amount
of tax on a large Frank’s
buff-chick pizza
Income Tax Brackets
Margin Married Filing
Married Filing
al Tax Single Jointly or Qualified Head of Household
Separately
Rate[1] Widow(er)
10% $0 – $8,350 $0 – $16,700 $0 – $8,350 $0 – $11,950
15% $8,351– $33,950 $16,701 – $67,900 $8,351 – $33,950 $11,951 – $45,500
25% $33,951 – $82,250 $67,901 – $137,050 $33,951 – $68,525 $45,551 – $117,450
$137,051 – $117,451 –
28% $82,251 – $171,550 $68,525 – $104,425
$208,850 $190,200
$171,551 – $208,851 – $104,426 –
33% $190,201 - $372,950
$372,950 $372,950 $186,475
35% $372,951+ $372,951+ $186,476+ $372,951+
What if you don’t pay your
taxes?
IRS (International Revenue Service)
Will come find you
“auditing”
All tax returns must be filed by April 15th
every year “Tax Day”…fines for being late!
Fines…..then if you still don’t pay you will
go to prison and still have to pay the
money you owe once you get out!
Attending School
Everyday you go to school you are
performing one of your duties as a citizen
Society depends on school to make sure that
young people are prepared for the future and
that the United States can continue to
compete with the rest of the world
Schools give students the knowledge they
need in order to carry out the duties and
responsibilities as a citizen
What happens if you don’t go
to school?
Must attend school until age 17
Can dropout at 15 with parent permission (worst
idea ever!!!)
Parents will be fined for truancy
More than 3 days without a lawful excuse
$300 for each violation
Parents must perform community service or
attend a parenting education class
If refuses parent can spend up to 5 days in jail for each
violation
Students can lose driver’s license for up to 6
months at a time
Taken out of your home (CYF) and placed in an
alternative facility or possibly with another family
Cost of High School
Dropouts to Society
½ of all dropouts use Welfare services
½ of all dropouts are in prison
Students who do not complete High
School cost taxpayers billions of dollars
in lost revenues, welfare,
unemployment, crime prevention, and
prosecution
Education Pays
$7.15 (current minimum wage in PA) x
2,000 hours (average American works
this many hours per year) = $14,300
$7.15 x 4,000 = $28,600
Poverty line for a family of 4 in 2008 =
$21,200
Education Pays!!!!!
Responsibilities of Citizens
Unlike duties, responsibilities are
fulfilled by choice
Even though not required by law,
fulfilling our responsibilities is just as
important a part of being a citizen as
performing our duties
Working Towards the
Common Good
The basic responsibility of all citizens is
to contribute to the common good, or
the well-being of all members of society
This means to acting in ways that protect
the rights of all Americans and to make our
communities good places to live.
Voting
One of the basic rights of American
citizenship and one of our most important
duties
We vote on local, state and the national level
Sometimes asked to make important
decisions on ballot issues
DON’T COMPLAIN IF YOU DON’T
VOTE!!!!!
Important when voting to be informed about the
candidates and the issues
Separate fact from opinions while watching for
bias and propaganda
Other Civic Responsibilities
Influencing Government
Holding Public Office Persuade government to take
People who agree to hold public action regarding a cause you
office are filling another very believe in (writing letters to
important responsibility of representatives, speaking a
citizenship city council or school board
meetings
“Public Servant”
Participating in Election Serving the Community
Campaigns Not a civic responsibilities
deal with government
One way to fulfill responsibilities
of citizenship is to help a Each of us are responsible for
candidate in his or her election making our communities a
campaign or to work the polls on better place to live
Volunteering, respecting others and
Election Day
their opinions (contributing to the
common good)
