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Prologue Era begins
During the prologue era (1640-1896), slavery was legal in America, and therefore, no African American had the right to become an American citizen. -
Declaration of Independence
after the declaration of independence in 1776, legislation was passed for the gradual emancipation of slavery -
Civil Rights Act
The 1875 civil rights act gave African Americans an equal right to treatment in public areas. -
14th Amendment
In 1886, the Fourteenth Amendment of the American constitution granted citizenship to everyone, either born or naturalized on American soil (Guelzo, 2020). -
Citizenship by Marriage
In 1888, American Indian women could become American citizens by marrying American men -
Prologue Era Ends
The transformation in American citizenry can be broadly categorized into four historical time scales: the prologue (1640-1896), the segregation era (1903-1939), and the World War II and Post War years (1941-date). -
Segregation Era begins
During the segregation era (1903 -1939), a heated debate arose on whether non-citizens, including African Americans, Asians, and Indians, should participate in elections -
American Indian men granted citizenship
In 1919, the American Indian men who had participated in World War I were granted citizenship. -
19th amendment
Women were granted the right to vote in 1920 following the nineteenth amendment of the American constitution (Guelzo, 2020) -
Segregation Era Ends
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Civil Rights Era begins
After the Civil Rights era (1961 – date), a lot has changed in regard to the American citizenry. Anyone born in the United States today automatically becomes a citizen. However, people from different countries that come to America are not given citizenship until they live here for five years or more. -
References
Guelzo, A. (2020). 10 Things Everyone Should Know about American History. Washington D.C: American Council of Trustees and Alumni.