Becoming a Citizen
If you are born anywhere on U.S. land or in a U.S. territory, you automatically become a citizen under this rule.
What is Law of Soil?
This principle means that everyone must follow the law, even government leaders and the president.
What is Rule of Law?
This required action involves following the federal, state, and local rules.
What is obeying the law?
This branch of government is described in Article I and makes the laws.
What is the Legislative Branch? (Congress)
This Supreme Court case established the power of Judicial Review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
If your parents are U.S. citizens, you become a citizen at birth no matter where you were born under this rule
What is the Law of Blood?
The idea that laws must be applied to every person in the exact same way, no matter how rich or powerful they are
What is Equal Application of the Law?
This is the most common way to participate in democracy is essential for maintaining a government.
What is voting?
This branch wears certain "hats" such as Commander-in-Chief & Chief Diplomat.
The Executive Branch
This 1857 Supreme Court decision wrongly claimed that Black people were not citizens and could not sue in court
What is Dred Scott v. Sandford?
This is the legal step-by-step process that an immigrant goes through to become a U.S. citizen
What is Naturalization?
This important document is the "supreme law of the land" in the United States
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This person fulfills an important obligation of the judicial system as an ordinary citizen.
What is a jury member (juror)?
This branch of government reviews laws to ensure the U.S. Constitution is followed.
What is the Judicial Branch?
This court case confirmed that children born on U.S. soil to foreign parents are citizens under the Law of Soil.
United States v. Wong Kim Ark?
A legally recognized member of a country who owes loyalty to the government and receives its protection
What is a Citizen?
If you are accused of a crime, you have the right to know what you did wrong and to see the evidence against you. This ensures the legal system is fair.
What is Procedural Fairness?
Men between 18 and 25 must register for this.
What is the Selective Service System?
This principle keeps one branch of the government from becoming too powerful.
What is Checks and Balances?
In court, accused individuals have a right to present their defense to this impartial official or group
What is a jury?
Added after the Civil War, this amendment gave the official definition of a U.S. citizen
What is the 14th Amendment?
This principle states that something is not "real" unless the idea is supported by many and by people with credentials (experience)
What is Legitimacy?
New citizens must take a formal allegiance promise called an oath to support and defend this document. All native born citizens must support this document.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
The branches of government get their "instructions" from this document.
What is the United States Constitution?
This a legal obligation for citizens that must be completed to ensure fair trails in the judicial branch.
What is jury duty?