Evolution of the National Citizenry

Naturalization Clause

1789

Congress established the new rules for citizenship through naturalization with the Naturalization Clause in the U.S. Constitution.

Naturalization Act of 1790

Mar 26, 1790

National citizenship is granted to "free" white people. Only white male property owners were able to hold the status of a U.S. citizen.

Treaty Of Hidalgo

Feb 2, 1848

The Treaty of Hidalgo was signed following the Spanish American War. It extended U.S. citizenship to anyone living in the territories that were annexed to the United States.

Fourteenth Amendment Ratified

1868

The fourteenth amendment was amended to include all U.S. citizens born or naturalized in the U.S. including formerly enslaved people.

Naturalization Act of 1870

Jul 14, 1870

The Naturalization Act of 1870 extended naturalization rights to "aliens of African nativity or African decent".

The Jones-Shafroth Act

Mar 2, 1917

Citizens of Puerto Rico were given U.S. citizenship.

Indian Citizenship Act

Jun 2, 1924

Citizenship was granted to any Native Americans born within the United States.

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT OF 1952

1952

To become a U.S. citizen by naturalization, racial restrictions were no longer in place.