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In 1607 the first permanent English settlement was created in modern day Virginia, the first step to the creation of the eventual United States. -
This dates marks when the first slaves arrived in the Jamestown settlement. This marks the beginning of a long struggle for black American citizenry. -
The US Constitution was signed in 1787. The Constitution esatblished rules of the land (parts were later added to define citizenship). -
This act officially granted citizenship to any white person/European immigrant that resided in America for 2 years or more. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War and also granted the Mexicans living in the conquered territory to choose America citizenship or Mexican citizenship. -
The 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery but, it must be noted that it did not grant citizenry to those African Americans. -
The 14th amendment commanded that all people born in the United States be granted citizensip. Even black Americans that would be born in America would be granted citizenship. -
This act granted all former slaves citizenship but, but did not grant other non-whites citizenship (i.e. Asians). -
This act officially banned all immigration to the United States from countries in Asia.
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This was the first act enacted to limit the number of immigrants that were allowed to migrate to America annually. This act greatly diminished immigration numbers. -
This law extended citizenship to Native Americans. -
This officially ceased race from a determining factor in the granting of citizenship to immigrant. Asians could could become citizens. -
The Hart-Celler act eliminated the quota system that was put into place in the past. -
This act made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire illegal immigrants to work for their company.