As an American citizen and Scouting America Scout, you’ll need to earn your Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge to reach the rank of Eagle. In this guide, I’ll help you learn about our constitution and gain a deeper understanding of how you can get involved and make a positive impact on our country!
Being an informed citizen is critical, especially in today’s political climate. By understanding the foundations of our democracy and being a good citizen in your community, you’ll help instill the Scouting spirit in others and guide our country in the right direction!
Before we get started, if you have other Eagle-required merit badges to earn, I’d recommend checking out my Difficulty Ranking Guide to Every Eagle-required Badge. There, you’ll also find the links to my other merit badge guides, as well as a description and summary of each badge’s requirements. I’m certain this resource will be helpful to Scouts on their road to Eagle!
Also, remember that ScoutSmarts should just serve as your starting point for merit badge research. In school, we’re taught not to plagiarize, and the same is true for Scouting worksheets. Answer these questions in your own words, do further research, and I promise you’ll gain much more from every merit badge you earn!
Citizenship in the Nation has an equal mixture of knowledge requirements, research, and activities. For the activities you choose, I’ll also be providing some insights and tips from when I completed this badge. Be warned, there are some tricky requirements, so this will likely take at least 2 weeks to finish. Be prepared! 😉
If you’re up for the challenge, it’s time to get started. Take a few minutes to thoroughly read and understand the requirements you’ll need to complete. Then, I’ll help you to understand and complete each one so that you can begin earning your Citizenship in the Nation merit badge!
What Are The Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge Requirements?
- What is the Constitution of the United States? What does the Constitution do? What principles does it reflect? Why is it important to have a Constitution?
- List the six purposes for creating the United States Constitution set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution. How do these purposes affect your family and community?
- List the three branches of the United States government. Explain:
a. The function of each branch of government
b. Why it is important to divide powers among different branches
c. How each branch “checks” and “balances” the others
d. How citizens can be involved in each branch of government. - Discuss the importance of:
a. The Declaration of Independence
b. The Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) and the 14th Amendment
c. The traditional United States motto “E Pluribus Unum”. - Watch the national evening news for five days in a row or read the main stories in a national media organization (e.g., a newspaper or news website) for five days in a row. Discuss the national issues that you learned about with your counselor. Choose one issue and explain how it affects you, your family, and community.
- With your counselor’s approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Explain:
a. Who the author was
b. What the historical context was
c. What difficulties the nation faced that the author wished to discuss
d. What the author said
e. Why the speech is important to the nation’s history.
Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why. - 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.
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.
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. - Name your representatives in the United States Congress. Write a letter to your representative in Congress explaining your views on a national issue. Show your letter, along with any response you might receive, to your counselor.
CITN Merit Badge Requirement 1: Our Constitution
1) What is the Constitution of the United States? What does the Constitution do? What principles does it reflect? Why is it important to have a Constitution?
To kick off your Citizenship in the Nation merit badge, let’s talk about the supreme law of the land: the United States Constitution. Think of the Constitution as the blueprint for how our entire country is run. Written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it is the oldest written national constitution still in use today.
Most notably, the Constitution outlines the structure for our three branches of government, each with a distinct role:
- The Legislative Branch: In charge of making laws, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- The Executive Branch: In charge of enforcing laws, headed by the President.
- The Judicial Branch: In charge of interpreting laws, headed by the Supreme Court.
Adopted just 11 years after our country declared independence from Great Britain, the Constitution was written to protect the basic rights and liberties of citizens for centuries to come. Our founding fathers wanted a system that was strong, fair, and unlike anything the world had seen before.
How does the Constitution help our government run smoothly? Beyond establishing three branches, it includes a built-in system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful. Here are three key mechanisms:
- Balance of Powers: The President can veto laws passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote. Courts can also declare laws or presidential actions unconstitutional.
- Amendments: The Constitution can be changed through a formal process requiring two-thirds of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states. Our first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights!
- Federalism: Power is divided between the federal and state governments. The federal government handles big national issues like interstate trade, while states manage things like education and local taxes.
What principles does our Constitution reflect? At its core, the Constitution reflects the principle of preventing tyranny by limiting the powers of any one group. Our founding fathers had just escaped a king with unchecked authority and were determined to build something better.
To fully understand the principles behind the Constitution, it helps to understand its history. I’d highly recommend watching this CrashCourse video (13:04) on the Constitution and its background:
Why is the Constitution important? Without it, the United States would likely not have the same level of stability, prosperity, or liberty it has today. As a living document, 27 amendments have been added since its creation, granting rights like freedom of speech, the abolition of slavery, and women’s voting.
The Constitution protects individual rights, limits the concentration of power, and ensures our government remains accountable to its citizens. Pretty incredible that a document written over 230 years ago still guides the most powerful nation on earth, right? 😀
CITN Merit Badge Requirement 2: Purposes of The Preamble
2) List the six purposes for creating the United States Constitution set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution. How do these purposes affect your family and community?
The preamble, located at the very beginning of the Constitution, serves as an introduction to the purpose, guiding principles, and values of the document. Read carefully! It is one of the most well-known phrases in American history, so it’s important to fully grasp its significance.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.”
Did you spot the six main purposes? Take a second to think through each one and consider how it affects your family and community. Then, watch this info-packed video (4:26). Afterward, we’ll dive into what each purpose means!
Hope that gave you a great overview! Below, I’ll break down each of the six purposes and explain how they create a better society for your family and community.
- To form a more perfect Union: The Constitution was written to strengthen the unity of the thirteen states that had just won independence from Great Britain. For your family and community, this means a more stable and united society where states cooperate rather than compete.
- Establish Justice: This promises a fair and impartial system of justice for all citizens. It means we can rely on the government to create and enforce fair laws that protect our rights and the rights of everyone in our communities.
- Insure Domestic Tranquility: The government will maintain peace and stability within our country. A peaceful community is a safer environment for Scouts and their families. Think about how much your daily life depends on public order! 🙂
- Provide for the Common Defense: The government promises to defend our nation against foreign threats, ensuring the safety of all citizens. Without this commitment, the young nation might not have survived its early years.
- Promote the General Welfare: This means increasing the well-being of citizens through policies and programs that improve our standard of living. Education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public services all fall under this purpose.
- Secure the Blessings of Liberty: Finally, the government promises to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens for all future generations. This means you and your family can live freely, express yourselves, and pursue your aspirations without fear of government oppression.
Scout Connection: Notice how these six purposes connect to the Scout Oath? “Duty to country” is about supporting the principles laid out in the Preamble. It was written for “ourselves and our Posterity,” meaning you are exactly who the founders had in mind!
The Preamble has played a crucial role in shaping the society we live in today. It lays out our government’s guiding principles and ensures the rights, safety, and well-being of all citizens. For more detail, check out the National Constitution Center’s Preamble breakdown.
CITN Merit Badge Requirement 3: Branches of Government
3) List the three branches of the United States government. Explain:
a. The function of each branch of government
b. Why it is important to divide powers among different branches
c. How each branch “checks” and “balances” the others
d. How citizens can be involved in each branch of government.
Our federal government is divided into three separate branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This separation exists to limit the power of any one group through a system of checks and balances. For a great overview of how this works, check out this TED-Ed video (3:49):
Have a general idea of each branch’s purpose? Wonderful! Below, I’ll break down each branch and recap the most important points you’ll need when discussing this with your merit badge counselor.
3a) Explain the function of each branch of government
Here is a quick-reference summary of the three branches before we dive deeper into each one:
| Branch | Led By | Main Role | Key Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legislative | Congress (Senate + House) | Makes laws | Passing the annual federal budget |
| Executive | The President | Enforces laws | Signing or vetoing legislation |
| Judicial | Supreme Court | Interprets laws | Ruling a law unconstitutional |
The Legislative Branch
The Legislative branch creates and passes our nation’s laws. It is directed by the US Congress, which is made up of two chambers: the Senate (100 members, 2 per state) and the House of Representatives (435 members, based on state population).
Fun Legislative Branch Fact: The House of Representatives has grown from just 65 members in 1789 to 435 today. That growth mirrors our country’s expansion from 13 original states to 50!
Congress is also in charge of setting the annual budget, approving proposed laws, and keeping the President’s power in check. As citizens, we elect our congress members, making this truly a government of the people. The Legislative branch exists to be the main voice for American citizens. 😀
The Executive Branch
The Executive Branch enforces our nation’s laws and carries out government policies. It consists of the President, Vice President, the President’s cabinet, and 15 executive departments with thousands of staffers. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the military.
Fun Executive Branch Fact: The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels. It also features a movie theater, swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis court, and a putting green!
The President nominates Supreme Court Justices, conducts diplomacy with other countries, and evaluates laws submitted by Congress. The President can veto legislation, but Congress can overturn that veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch interprets the meaning of laws and determines whether governmental actions violate the Constitution. It consists of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The President nominates Justices, who must then be confirmed by the Senate.
Fun Judicial Branch Fact: Once confirmed, Supreme Court Justices serve lifetime appointments, which is why their nominations are such a big deal. Their black robes symbolize impartiality and the tradition of focusing solely on the law and the facts of each case.
The Judicial Branch has the final say in legal cases that could set a precedent for the entire country. If there are questions about whether the other branches are acting unconstitutionally, the Judicial Branch delivers the verdict.
3b) Explain why it is important to divide powers among different branches
Our system of checks and balances exists to prevent one branch or individual from obtaining too much power. Having just declared independence from a king with unchecked authority, our founding fathers were determined to prevent any similar concentration of power.
The goal was to ensure the government would always be accountable to the people and that citizens’ rights would be protected. Throughout history, nations where power is concentrated in one person or group have often seen corruption and abuse. Our three-branch system has been running strong for over 230 years!
3c) Explain how each branch “checks” and “balances” the others
Each branch of government holds specific powers over the other two. This keeps every branch accountable and, ultimately, serves the needs of citizens like you and me. For a deeper look at how these mechanisms work, watch this CrashCourse video (8:33):
Here are the key examples of checks and balances you can discuss with your merit badge counselor:
| Branch Doing the Checking | Check / Power | Branch Being Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Executive | President can veto laws | Legislative |
| Executive | President nominates Supreme Court Justices | Judicial |
| Legislative | Congress can override vetoes (2/3 vote) | Executive |
| Legislative | Congress controls the federal budget | Executive |
| Legislative | Congress can impeach officials | Executive & Judicial |
| Legislative | Senate confirms judicial nominations | Judicial |
| Judicial | Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional | Legislative |
| Judicial | Supreme Court can strike down executive actions | Executive |
Scout Tip: When discussing this with your counselor, try to give a real-world example. For instance, in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court struck down state laws requiring racial segregation in public schools, showing how the Judicial Branch checks the power of state legislatures.
3d) Explain how citizens can be involved in each branch of government
As citizens, we can involve ourselves in each branch of government by voting, contacting our representatives, and participating in the legal system. This is how democracy stays alive! Below are the main ways to engage with each branch:
- Legislative Branch: Contact your representatives via letter, email, or phone call. Attend town hall meetings to connect with elected officials. Once you’re 18, vote for candidates who share your values! Even before you can vote, you can find your representatives on Congress.gov and write them about issues you care about.
- Executive Branch: Stay informed about the President’s policies and actions. You can contact your representatives to express your views on executive decisions. Most importantly, once eligible, you can cast your vote for President in the general election every 4 years.
- Judicial Branch: Citizens 18 and older can participate by serving on juries. You can also attend court proceedings to observe how our legal system works. Anyone can volunteer with organizations that provide legal services to those in need.
Informed, active citizens like you are key to a thriving democracy! By staying informed and participating in the democratic process, you help shape the future of this country. 😀 For a deeper look at all three branches, check out USA.gov’s overview of the branches of government.
CITN Merit Badge Requirement 4: Unity In Our Nation
4) Discuss the importance of:
a. The Declaration of Independence
b. The Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) and the 14th Amendment
c. The traditional United States motto “E Pluribus Unum”.
Each of these founding principles has helped create the backbone of our great nation! Whether it’s the document declaring our independence, the amendments protecting our rights, or the national motto, they share a common theme of unity and the protection of our rights and freedoms.
4a) Discuss the importance of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a formal statement, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, that asserted the separation of the American colonies from British rule. Ratified on July 4, 1776, it established the United States as an independent nation governed by the people, for the people.
One of the most famous lines in the Declaration is especially worth knowing:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This single sentence set the standard for human rights and helped guide our country on the right path. It was a bold declaration that every person has inherent worth and natural rights that no government can take away. For a fascinating look at something most people don’t know about this document, watch this TED-Ed video (3:45):
Declaration of Independence Fun Fact: The Declaration was not fully signed on July 4th, 1776. While many founders, including John Hancock, signed that day, the signing process was not completed until August 2nd, 1776. Some delegates never signed it at all!
Without the Declaration of Independence, the world as we know it would look very different. The document inspired democratic movements around the globe, from the French Revolution to modern independence movements. It remains one of the most influential political documents ever written.
4b) Discuss the importance of the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment
The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution. These amendments guarantee the personal rights of US citizens and limit the abuse of government power. Ratified in 1791, they were added because many founders feared the Constitution alone did not do enough to protect individual freedoms.
For a quick and clear breakdown of all 10 amendments, watch this TED-Ed video (3:27):
Here is what each amendment protects, broken down in plain terms:
| # | Protection | In Simple Terms |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Freedom of religion, speech, and the press | You can speak your mind, practice any faith, and the press can report freely |
| 2nd | Right to keep and bear arms | Citizens can own firearms |
| 3rd | No quartering of soldiers | The military cannot force you to house soldiers in your home |
| 4th | Protection from unreasonable searches | Police need a warrant to search your property |
| 5th | Due process and self-incrimination | You cannot be forced to testify against yourself or be tried twice for the same crime |
| 6th | Right to a speedy trial and lawyer | You get a fair, timely trial with legal representation |
| 7th | Right to jury trial in civil cases | Disputes over a certain dollar amount can go before a jury |
| 8th | No cruel or unusual punishment | Punishments and bail must be fair and reasonable |
| 9th | Rights retained by the people | Citizens have rights beyond just those listed in the Constitution |
| 10th | Powers reserved to the states | Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or people |
Without the Bill of Rights, the government could exert unchecked power over its citizens. By adding these amendments early on, our founding fathers made sure individual freedoms would be protected for generations to come.
The requirement also asks about the 14th Amendment, one of the most important additions to the Constitution. Ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, it grants citizenship to all persons born in the United States and guarantees equal protection under the law for every citizen.
Why the 14th Amendment Matters: This single amendment has been the foundation for some of the most important Supreme Court cases in history. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) used it to end school segregation. It ensures that no state can pass laws that treat any group of citizens unfairly, making it a cornerstone of civil rights in America.
4c) Discuss the importance of E Pluribus Unum
E Pluribus Unum is a Latin phrase meaning “Out of Many, One.” It has served as the traditional motto of the United States since 1782, when it was chosen by the committee that designed the Great Seal of the United States. You can find it printed on the Great Seal, on every US coin, and on the one-dollar bill.
The motto originally referred to the thirteen separate colonies uniting to form one nation. Today, it carries a broader meaning: a diverse population from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs coming together as one unified country.
Scout Connection: Think about your own Scout troop. You probably have Scouts from all kinds of backgrounds, but you work together toward shared goals. That’s E Pluribus Unum in action! The idea connects directly to the Scout Law’s call to be friendly, courteous, and kind to everyone.
E Pluribus Unum reminds us that America’s strength comes from unity, not uniformity. We do not all need to think the same way or come from the same place. What matters is that we share a commitment to the principles of liberty, justice, and equality that our nation was founded on.
The motto has appeared on US coins since 1795 and was added to paper currency in the 1930s. While “In God We Trust” became the official national motto in 1956, E Pluribus Unum remains the traditional motto and continues to represent one of America’s most important values: that a united, diverse people are stronger together.
Amendments to the Constitution (Bonus!)
Including the Bill of Rights, the US Constitution has seen a total of 27 amendments. These amendments allow the Constitution to evolve with the times while preserving its core principles.
The abolition of slavery (13th Amendment) and women’s right to vote (19th Amendment) are two landmark examples. Because it takes two-thirds support from both the House and Senate to approve a new amendment, changes are rare. The most recent amendment was added on May 5, 1992.
Fun Amendments Fact: The Bill of Rights was not originally part of the Constitution! Founders like James Madison believed a bill of rights was necessary to protect individual freedoms. Without his efforts, those 10 amendments might never have been added.
Amendments are a brilliant way to make positive changes to our government over time, but they require broad cooperation. The high bar for passage ensures that any change to the Constitution truly reflects the will of the American people.
Congrats on Finishing Part 1 of Your Citizenship in The Nation Merit Badge!
Wow, we just covered a ton of interesting info about our nation! Great work. Are you starting to understand our system of government and the founding principles of the United States more fully? You definitely deserve a nice break for all your hard work. Give yourself a huge pat on the back! 🙂
If you’re also working on related badges, check out my guides to Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World, and Citizenship in Society!
Once you’re ready to continue on to part 2 of the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge (Requirements 5-8) click here!