Evolution of the national citizenry

By laur3n001

  • The Declaration of Independence-1776

    The Declaration of Independence-1776
    1776: Declaration of Independence declares that all men are created equal, but citizenship is primarily limited to white male landowners.

  • The Naturalization Act-1790

    The Naturalization Act-1790
    1790: The Naturalization Act establishes the first rules for granting U.S. citizenship, limited to "free white persons" of "good character."

  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo-1848

    The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo-1848
    1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo grants citizenship to Mexicans living in territories ceded to the U.S., but many face discrimination and exclusion.

  • The Civil War-1865

    The Civil War-1865
    1865: The end of the Civil War leads to the abolition of slavery, but formerly enslaved people remain without full citizenship rights.

  • The 14th Amendment-1868

    The 14th Amendment-1868
    1868: The 14th Amendment is ratified, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. However, many states find ways to circumvent these rights.

  • The Naturalization Act-1870

    The Naturalization Act-1870
    1870: The Naturalization Act is amended to include persons of African descent, yet significant barriers still exist for Asian immigrants.

  • The Chinese Exclusion Act-1882

    The Chinese Exclusion Act-1882
    1882: The Chinese Exclusion Act prohibits Chinese laborers from immigrating and denies citizenship to Chinese residents.

  • The Indian Citizenship Act-1924

    The Indian Citizenship Act-1924
    1924: The Indian Citizenship Act grants U.S. citizenship to Native Americans, though many states still find ways to exclude them from voting.

  • The McCarran-Walter Act-1952

    The McCarran-Walter Act-1952
    1952: The McCarran-Walter Act allows Asian immigrants to become citizens, correcting previous exclusionary policies.

  • The Immigration and Nationality Act-1965

    The Immigration and Nationality Act-1965
    1965: The Immigration and Nationality Act eliminates racial quotas, allowing for increased immigration from diverse countries.

  • The 26th Amendment-1971

    The 26th Amendment-1971
    1971: The 26th Amendment lowers the voting age to 18, expanding citizenship rights and participation.

  • The Immigration Reform and Control Act-1986

    The Immigration Reform and Control Act-1986
    1986: The Immigration Reform and Control Act provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria.

  • Defense of Marriage Act-2013

    Defense of Marriage Act-2013
    2013: The Supreme Court strikes down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the rights of same-sex couples to marry, thereby expanding the notion of citizenship and family.

  • Ongoing Immigration Reform-2021

    Ongoing Immigration Reform-2021
    2021: Ongoing debates and policies regarding immigration reform continue to shape the understanding of citizenship, with discussions on pathways for undocumented immigrants and the rights of asylum seekers.