Evolution of the National Citizenry

By Eiryonna

  • Naturalization Act of 1790

    Limited access of U.S. citizenship to white immigrants including people from Western Europe. Must live in the U.S. for at least two years, their children under 21, and children born to U.S. citizens abroad.

  • The Citizenship Act of 1795

    Repealed and replaced the Nationalization Act of 1790. Children of citizens of the United States that may be born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States, will be considered as citizens of the United States; the right of the citizenship doesn't descend to persons whose
    fathers have never been resident in the United States.

  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848

    Ended the war between the U.S. and Mexico. 55% of Mexico was surrendered including California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming. Gave the New Mexico American Citizens political, social, and economic rights.

  • The Citizenship Act of 1855

    Children born or born out of the limits and jurisdiction of
    the United States, whose fathers were or may be at the time of their birth citizens are declared to be citizens of the United States.

  • 14th Amendment 1868

    Granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S. including formerly enslaved people. Provided all citizens with equal protection under the law.

  • Naturalization Act of 1870

    Naturalization was extended to persons of African descent. Congress rejected a proposal to extend naturalization to all.

  • Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

    Passed by Congress to ban Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. for 10 years.

  • The Ctizenship Act of 1907

    Children born abroad that wishes to continue to be a citizen of the United States must register their intentions of becoming a resident and take an oath of allegiance upon reaching 18 years of age.

  • Jones-Shafroth Act 1917

    Puerto Ricans were given U.S. citizenship. This act separated the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of Puerto Rican government, provided civil rights, and created a locally elected bicameral legislature (a two-house legislative system).

  • Indian Citizenship Act 1924

    U.S. citizenship was given to Native Americans born in the U.S., but their right to vote depended on state law until 1957.

  • The Citizenship Act of 1934

    Any child born abroad may become a citizen of the United States if their father or mother or both at the time of birth were declared citizens. If one parent is an alien, the child must live in the United States for 5 continuous years before the age of 18 and take the oath of allegiance to the United States within 6 months after their 21st birthday.

  • Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952

    Also known as The McCarran–Walter Act. Immigrants were deportable if they were anarchists or members of or affiliated with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian organizations that plan to overthrow the U.S. Revoked the exclusion laws against the immigration and naturalization of Asians and established only token quotas for Asian immigration. Biased towards Europeans.

  • Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

    Also known as The Hart-Celler Act or the 1965 Immigration Act. Amended the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Abolished quotas, open to immigrants that can contribute to the United States’ growth, strength, and spirit. Focused on immigrants' skills and family relations with citizens or U.S. residents.

  • Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

    Employers couldn’t knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. US Citizenship given to individuals that had resided in the United States before January 1, 1982, continuously without the penalty of a fine, back taxes due, and admission of guilt. They were required to show proof of being not guilty and residing in the U.S. before January 1, 1982.