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Colonial Era
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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence announced that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain rights. This was primarily limited to white, and land-owning men. -
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Founding documents of the U.S
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U.S Constitution
This provided Citizenship and rights that were largely tied to the state laws.
Slaves were counted of a person for representation but were denied rights. -
Naturalization Act
This act restricted citizenship to "free white persons" and also excluded Native Americans, enslaved individuals and non-whites. -
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Abolition of Slavery and Reconstruction
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13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the U.S, except as punishment for a crime. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people.
This granted citizenship to "All persons born or naturalized in the United States" -
15th Amendment
Prohibited voter discrimination based on race and color (though this was undermined by Jim Crow laws.) -
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Exclusion and Discrimination
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Chinese Exclusion Act
This Act Prohibited Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States for 10 years, prohibited Chinese immigrants from becoming American citizens, restricted the entry and re-entry of Chinese nationals, created exemption status for teachers, students, merchants and travelers and required non-laborers to obtain certification from the Chinese government to immigrate. -
Native Americans
Indigenous peoples were granted citizenship through policies like the Dawes Act (1887) and the Indian Citizenship Act (1924) but many still faced discrimination and limited rights. -
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Civil Rights and Inclusion
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Japanese Interment and Korematsu Decision
Japanese Americans, including citizens, were forcibly relocated to internment camps -
Brown v. Board of Education
U.S Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren delivered the ruling in the landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. State-sanctioned segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th amendment and was therefore unconstitutional. -
Civil Rights Act
This Act outlawed segregation in public places and businesses, prohibited employment discrimination, and integrated school and other public facilities. -
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Immigration and Expanding Citizenship
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The Immigration and Nationality Act
A law that changed the United States immigration system from a quota system to a preference system. It removed the National Orgins Formula, which had been the basis of immigration policy since the 1920's. -
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Contemporary Citizenship Issues
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
An executive action program that allows certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to request a temporary deferral from deportation and receive worth authorization. This provided them with a pathway to live and work legally in the country for renewable two-year periods.