Evolution of the National Citizenry

By nsouder92

  • The Constitution of the United States is written.

  • The Constitution of the United States is ratified by nine states.

  • The Naturalization Act of 1790 is passed.

    This act was passed which made it so that only free white persons of good moral values could obtain citizenship.

  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is ratified.

    This treaty allowed Mexican citizens to be considered U.S. citizens, but because of the Naturalization Act of 1790, these citizens would've had to have been considered white so it only affected elite Mexicans and those that chose United States over Mexican citizenship.

  • The 14th Amendment is ratified.

    This amendment allowed for those that were born within the United States to become citizens, but excluded Native Americans in this instance. This amendment essentially went against the Naturalization Act.

  • The 15th Amendment is ratified.

    This amendment allowed for African Americans the ability to vote.

  • Asian veterans of World War I receive right to naturalization.

  • The Indian Citizenship Act is signed by President Calvin Coolidge.

    After World War I and because of the rate at which Native Americans signed up for the war, President Calvin Coolidge signed an act to finally allowed Native Americans to become citizens who were born in the United States.

  • Chinese wives of american citizens denied entry.

  • Congress repeals Chinese exclusion laws.

    Chinese citizens were finally able to be naturalized citizens after the repealing of Chinese exclusion laws regarding citizenship and immigration.