United States History Student Edition

day. In a letter to a Virginia politician and friend, Thomas Jefferson shared his thoughts on these issues. “ [I]f a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilisation, it expects what never was & never will be. [T]he functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty & property of their constituents. [T]here is no safe deposit for these but with the people themselves; nor can they be safe with them without information. [W]here the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe. ” —Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Charles Yancey, January 1816 Exercising the right to vote is probably the most important responsibility of a citizen. When citizens participate in the voting process, it helps to shape the nation’s present and determine its future. 7 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING 1. Speculating What are some ways the government can legally limit our freedoms? Illustrate one of these ways with an example of a specific situation. 2. Summarizing What are some duties U.S. citizens are legally required to perform? LESSON ACTIVITIES 1. Argumentative Writing In the United States, voting is considered a responsibility. Should the United States make voting a duty and require all citizens to vote? Write a short essay that supports your position. 2. Analyzing Main Ideas Working with a partner or small group, create a definition for free speech. Then create a list of types of situations in which you think the government might be justified in limiting free speech. Present your group’s list to your classmates and allow a few minutes for them to ask questions. As the other groups present their lists, note any differences in definitions or situations from your group’s list.

This 1852 painting by artist George Caleb Bingham shows voters lining up at a polling booth. Early in U.S. history, voting was generally limited to white men who owned property. Today, the right to vote is available to most citizens 18 years of age or older.

Citizenship comes with duties and responsibilities. Duties are things we must do, and responsibilities are things we should do. Citizens have a duty to obey the law, to pay taxes, and to sit on a jury if called. Another key duty is defending the country. All males age 18 and older must register with the government in case they are needed to serve in the military. Responsibilities are things a person should do, though they might not be required by law. However, if people do not fulfill their responsibilities as citizens, the quality of our government and communities is diminished . One responsibility is pursuing education and remaining informed about important issues of the

diminish to reduce; to make smaller

PHOTO: Album/Alamy Stock Photo. TEXT: “Thomas Jefferson to Charles Yancey, 6 January 1816,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified December 6, 2016, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-09-02-0209.

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