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Dred Scott was a former slave who went on trial to sue his slave owner. He felt if he lived in a free state he should be a free man. In the Dred Scott Vs. Standford case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor that Dred Scott would not be considered free due to the color of his skin. African Americans at that time would not be considered citizens of the United States. -
The Homestead Act was passed to encourage immigration to the United States. Those who were citizens or were planning to become citizens would live on, but they would have to work there as well. -
The National Equal Rights League was formed to support African Americans in earning the right to become citizens. -
The Civil Rights Act was established to allow people born in the United States to earn the right to citizenship. -
The Fourteenth Amendment was changed to allow anybody in the United States to become a citizen if they weren't already a citizen. Any person could be male, female, black, white, etc and they would be able to.