Evolution of the national citizenry

By andybee2099

  • 1776 - Declaration of Independence

    Event: Declaration of Independence is adopted.
    Significance: Asserts that "all men are created equal" but initially applies primarily to white, land-owning men.

  • 1787 - U.S. Constitution

    Event: U.S. Constitution is drafted and ratified.
    Significance: Establishes the framework of the government but does not explicitly define citizenship.

  • 1790 - Naturalization Act

    Event: Naturalization Act of 1790.
    Significance: Limits naturalization to "free white persons" of "good moral character," excluding non-whites from citizenship.

  • 1865 - 13th Amendment

    Event: Ratification of the 13th Amendment.
    Significance: Abolishes slavery, a crucial step towards granting former slaves citizenship.

  • 1868 - 14th Amendment

    Event: Ratification of the 14th Amendment.
    Significance: Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, establishing the Citizenship Clause.

  • 1870 - Naturalization Act of 1870

    Event: Naturalization Act of 1870.
    Significance: Extends naturalization rights to individuals of African descent but continues to exclude Asians and other non-whites.

  • 1882 - Chinese Exclusion Act

    Event: Enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
    Significance: Prohibits immigration and naturalization of Chinese laborers, reflecting racial exclusion policies.

  • 1920 - 19th Amendment

    Event: Ratification of the 19th Amendment.
    Significance: Grants women the right to vote, expanding the concept of citizenship to include women's suffrage.

  • 1924 - Indian Citizenship Act

    Event: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.
    Significance: Grants U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

  • 1943 - Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act

    Event: Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
    Significance: Allows Chinese immigrants to become naturalized citizens and ends explicit racial exclusion in immigration law.

  • 1952 - Immigration and Nationality Act (McCarran-Walter Act)

    Event: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
    Significance: Ends racial restrictions in naturalization but maintains quotas based on national origins.

  • 1964 - Civil Rights Act

    Event: Enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    Significance: Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, reinforcing equal rights for all citizens.

  • 1965 - Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act)

    Event: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
    Significance: Abolishes national origins quotas, opening immigration to non-European countries and diversifying the population.

  • 1986 - Immigration Reform and Control Act

    Event: Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
    Significance: Grants amnesty to millions of undocumented immigrants, allowing them a pathway to citizenship.

  • 2001 - USA PATRIOT Act

    Event: Enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act.
    Significance: Expands government powers for surveillance and enforcement, impacting the civil liberties of citizens and non-citizens.

  • 2021 - U.S. Citizenship Act

    Event: Introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.
    Significance: Proposes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, aiming to modernize the immigration system.