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Dred Scott vs. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave. He sued the executor of his former master's estate. This state-citizenship diversity was jurisdiction of the federal courts. -
The Republican Party won control of the White House
Abraham Lincoln led the Republican Party to the win over the White House in the election. This allowed free blacks to become American citizens. -
39th Congress
The Republican Party was in control of the 39th Congress after the Civil War. The 39th Congress started its first session in December of 1865. During this time the former Confederate states formed new white-dominated governments that did not allow former slaves to have rights. This discriminatory law was called "Black Codes" -
Civil Rights Act
Congress passed the Civil Rights Act which stated that all people born or naturalized in the United States. This included the state that they lived in, this did not depend on race. This also included that all citizens of each state to have same civil rights. -
The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment was drafted. The Senate added the first sentence in the Amendment. The 14th Amendment states No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizen of the United States. This was also considered The Citizenship Clause. A simple declaration of the 14th Amendment, if you are born in America under the American flag you are an American Citizen.