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Independence from Britain
Individual rights are established in this document, but citizenship only pertains to white, land-owning males. -
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution is ratified by all 50 states. In this document, citizenship is not clearly defined, but this documents officially excluded slaves, native people, and women from natural rights. -
Naturalization Act
The first law to establish uniform rules for naturalization in the United States. These requirements only applied to free white people. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Grants Mexican residents in the territories acquired following the Mexican-American war citizenship, although they still faced widespread discrimination -
13th Amendment
Legally abolishes slavery, although it does not grant free slaves the same rights as citizens -
14th Amendment
Gives citizenship to any person born in the U.S., including freed slaves. Although freed slaves had the same legal rights as white men in the eyes of the government, state governments and people still discriminated against African Americans. -
Amendment to the Naturalization Act
An amendment is added to the Naturalization Act of 1790 to include African Americans but still excludes Asian people. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The first law to restrict immigration based on nationality, this law prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating and prohibited them from becoming citizens. -
Indian Citizenship Act
Grants citizenship to Native Americans -
Nationality Act
Establishes a clearer path to becoming a U.S. citizen. -
McCarran-Walter Act
The first time that Asian Immigrants have the opportunity to become U.S. citizens, but also imposes quotas on how many could be allowed. -
Civil Rights Act
Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or nationality -
Immigration and Nationality Act
Abolishes all immigration quotas