πΊπΈ What's a U.S. Territory?
A U.S. territory is a place that belongs to the United States, but it's not a state. People who live there are generally U.S. citizens, but they can't vote in presidential elections unless they move to a state. Territories have their own local governments, but the U.S. Congress has the ultimate power over them.
πΊοΈ Step 1: Asking to Become a State
First, the people in the territory have to decide they want to become a state. They usually vote in what's called a referendum to show that most people agree. This is like taking a class vote to decide on a field trip!
- π³οΈ A territory holds a vote (referendum) to show its people want to become a state.
π Step 2: Asking Congress
If the vote shows that most people want to become a state, the territory asks the U.S. Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) to approve their request. They send a letter and lots of information about why they think they should become a state. Think of it as writing a persuasive essay to convince your teacher!
- βοΈ The territory petitions (asks) Congress for permission.
ποΈ Step 3: Congress Says 'Yes' (Maybe!)
Congress gets to decide whether or not to let the territory become a state. They talk about it, and then they vote. If both the Senate and the House of Representatives vote 'yes,' they pass something called an 'enabling act.' This act tells the territory what it needs to do to get ready to be a state.
- β
Congress approves the request and passes an "enabling act."
βοΈ Step 4: Writing a Constitution
The territory then writes its own constitution, which is like the rule book for how the state will be run. The people of the territory vote to approve the constitution. It has to follow the rules of the U.S. Constitution.
- ποΈ The territory writes and approves its own constitution.
π€ Step 5: Congress Approves the Constitution
The territory sends its constitution to Congress. Congress looks at it to make sure it's fair and follows the rules. If Congress likes the constitution, they vote to accept it.
- π Congress reviews and approves the constitution.
π Step 6: Welcome to the United States!
Finally, if Congress accepts the constitution, the President signs a law that officially makes the territory a state! Now the new state gets to send senators and representatives to Congress, and its people get to vote in presidential elections.
- πΊπΈ The President signs the act, and the territory officially becomes a state!
π€ Why Does it Matter?
Becoming a state gives the people who live there more say in how the country is run. They get to vote for their leaders and have their voices heard in Congress. It's like graduating from being a helper to being a full member of the team!