Transcript Values – Ideas that people hold dear and try to live by. AMERICAN

Notes
Chapter 1, Section 1
American Values
Values – Ideas that people hold dear and try to
live by.
AMERICAN Values –
- Equality
- Liberty
- Justice
Foundation of many of our Rights and
Responsibilities.
Equality
All people are equal under the law.
•The rights of each person are equal to
those of every other person.
•Example: Rosa Parks, Civil Rights
Liberty
•Our individual rights that are protected.
•Many take their rights for granted,
however, we are extremely lucky to
have the freedom that we have.
•Religion, Home, Trial, Speech, Education.
Justice
•Laws are enforced to protect our rights.
•Our rights and freedoms cannot be taken
away as long as you follow the laws.
•Power has been given to some in order to
prevent others from violating our basic rights.
Responsibility of a Good Citizen
•Voting – Represent our views, let our
voice be heard, govern through our votes
as a collective.
•Participate in the democracy!
WE MUST MAKE IT WORK!
Being an Effective Citizen
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Responsible family member
Respect and obey the law.
Respect the rights and property of others.
Loyal to and proud of their country.
Involved in community.
Active part in government.
Use natural resources wisely.
Informed and willing to take a stand.
Believe in equal opportunity for all people.
Respect individual differences and ways of life.
Notes
Chapter 1, Section 2
Immigrants
Immigrants – people who come here from
different countries.
“The United States is a country founded on
immigration.”
Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?
Melting Pot
People from other cultures enter the nation
and adopt American customs and blend into
American society.
Salad Bowl
Immigrants practice cultural traditions,
cultures are mixed together, yet still remain
separate and diverse.
Immigration TimeLine
1620 – Pilgrims travel from England settle Mass.
1654 – African slaves begin to be brought in.
1850 – 1st wave of modern immigration to U.S. –
Britain, Ireland, and Germany.
1860 – Chinese workers brought in to build U.S.
railroads.
1900 – Southern and Eastern Europeans enter in
large numbers.
1948 – Citizens of war torn European nations
enter in huge numbers.
Immigration Policy
 Chinese Exclusion Act –
1880’s Limited Chinese immigrants and
prevented them from owning land or
becoming citizens.
 Quota – set number of immigrants per
country can enter per year.
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 Immigration Act of 1990 –
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Annual quota to 675,000 for families,
skilled workers, and aliens
Citizens
Native-Born – 90% Americans are
Native Born. If you are born here,
regardless of your parents, you are a
citizen.
Naturalization – Same rights, cannot
become president or vice; children
automatically citizens.
Non-Citizens
Legal Aliens – Citizen of another country
allowed to stay in US, must carry Green Card.
Illegal Immigrants – Citizens of other
countries lack immigration papers, constantly
face getting caught and deported.
Refugees – Separate from other immigrants,
come to seek shelter from conflict, war, and
crisis situations in home country.
Path to Citizenship
Apply for a permanent residency visa – family or
job in the country.
Apply for citizenship – Form, photo, fingerprints
and documents
Be interviewed and pass a test on U.S. History,
Civics, and English.
Take Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Entire process above takes 7-11 years. Have to have not
left us for last 2.5 yrs.
Notes
Ch. 1 We The People
Sec 3 – The American People Today
Census
A census allows the government to count
the population and predict its growth in
the future.
A census is done every 10 years, next in
2010.
Demographics also gives us helpful
statistics to plan with.
Population Growth
In 2010 population is projected to be 310
million people in U.S.
Growth occurs in three ways Natural increase – population grows when
birthrate is higher than death rate.
Adding Territory – In its early years the U.S.
added many new territories and therefore
added the inhabitants as citizens.
Immigration
Population Changes
Demographics of the American home have
changed over the years.
Changing households – Divorce increase, singleparents, fewer children, unmarried couples.
An Older Population – People live longer, and
not enough young people to care for the large
number of elderly.
Diversity – Mixed heritage has grown, mixed
ethnicity now included in census.
A Population on the Move
In its origin, most people lived in rural areas.
Industry brought the people to cities in large
numbers.
Invention of the automobile made allowed
people to move further from the cities, where
we get suburbs.
In the 1950s a migration south occurred,
moving many big businesses to the warmer
areas, away from the older, larger cities.