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Nationality Act of 1790
First statute that says after two years of residency, free white persons of good moral character become citizens. -
Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Laws enacted to deport immigrants deemed dangerous in turn making it harder for foreigners to vote. Intended to stop criticism from the federal government. -
1808 Ban on Importing Slaves
Act prohibited the importation of slaves from foreign countries into the United States. -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
Act that authorized Native Americans to be removed from their desirable land, and to be relocated westward. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty which brought an end to the Mexican-American War, gave Mexicans the right to remain in the United States or return to Mexico. -
People v. Hall
California Supreme Court ruled that Chinese immigrants had no right to testify against a white citizen. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Supreme Court ruled that freed African Americans were not citizens and did not qualify for the rights and privileges of citizenship. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclamation that freed the slaves of the Confederate states engaged in rebellion against the Union. -
14th Ammendment of the Constitution
Guaranteed citizenship to all person born in the United States, including slaves. Granted equal protection of the laws. Clause excluding Indians not taxed the right to vote. -
15th Amendment of the Constitution
Right to vote cannot be denied based on race or color.
African-American males granted the right to vote. -
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
Suspended immigration for Chinese workers. Attempt to curb the amount of Chinese immigrants in the United States. -
Dawes Act of 1887
Act that enabled Congress to allot reservation lands and Native Americans would recive citizenship rights. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Ruling that states equal protection established in the 14th Amendment that sergregation was legal and facilities could be "separate but equal" . -
United States v. Wong Kim Ark
Decision by the Supreme Court that states that any child born in the United States with parents of Chinese descent is a citizen by birth. -
19th Amendment of the Constitution
Legally granted the right for American women to vote. -
Immigration Act of 1924
Act that prevented immigration from Asia and set quotas on the number of immigrants from Southern Europe. -
Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
Act granted US citizenship to Native Americans, but did not ensure them the right to vote. -
Undesirable Acts of 1929
Limited Mexican immigration. Unlawful entry into the United States led to a misdemeanor, and after deportation and re-entry a felony. -
Executive Order 9066
Order in which Japanese-Americans were eventually forced into concentration camps. -
Magnuson Act
Act in which it permitted Chinese immigration. Allowed Chinese immigrants already in the United States to become citizens -
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
Act that allows asslylum to the United States for refugees from Europe via a visa. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
Act that allows all races to be eligible for naturalization. Also tightens the security and screening procedures. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion in employment, education, and other public facilities. -
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Enacted to revise immigration laws and was an attempt to control illegal immigration in the United States.