Extending Rights to All
1791 - present
1791
What documents and institutions protect the
rights of Americans?
1791
What documents and institutions protect the
rights of Americans?
• state constitutions w/ bills of rights
• U.S. Constitution w/ Amendments I – X
• court systems at state and federal level
• representational government at local, state
and federal levels
1791
But who is an American citizen?
1791
But who is an American citizen?
• The U.S. Constitution mentions “citizens” but
doesn’t clearly define who they are.
• It also says that Congress has the power to
decide who is and can become a citizen.
1791
But who is an American citizen?
• The U.S. Constitution mentions “citizens” but
doesn’t clearly define who they are.
• It also says that Congress has the power to
decide who is and can become a citizen.
So what did Congress do?
1790 Naturalization Act
Who is an American citizen?
- people born free in the U. S.
- “free white persons” born outside of the
U.S. who apply to become citizens, submit
the correct paperwork, and are accepted
Only “free white persons” need apply
Until what year would the 1790 Naturalization
Act be in effect?
Only “free white persons” need apply
Until what year would the 1790 Naturalization
Act be in effect?
1952
1791
Among citizens, who had the right to vote?
Under the U.S. Constitution, who got to decide?
1791
Among citizens, who had the right to vote?
- free white men, aged 21 yrs and over,
who met property requirements (as
defined by their state)
1791
Among citizens, who had the right to vote?
- free white men, aged 21 yrs and over,
who met property requirements (as
defined by their state)
- in New Jersey, from 1776 to 1807,
women who met the state’s property
requirements could also vote
(until men changed the law in 1807)
1791
Among citizens, who had the right to vote?
- free white men, aged 21 yrs and over, who
met property requirements
- in New Jersey, from 1776 to 1807,
women who met property requirements
- in most (but not all) states, free black men
who met property requirements could
vote – until 1857
1830s and 1840s
- Movement to abolish slavery gains
momentum in U.S.
- Many abolitionists also become supporters of
women’s rights.
- 1848 First women’s rights convention held in
U.S., in Seneca Falls, NY. “Declaration of the
Rights of Woman” calls for women to have the
right to vote. (But falls on deaf ears.)
1850s
Among citizens, who had the right to vote?
- By 1856, all states had eliminated any
property requirements for white men (21+
yrs).
- In 1857, in Dred Scott v. Sandford, the
Supreme Court ruled…
1857, Dred Scott v. Sandford
- A case over whether a slave, Dred Scott, who
had lived in free states, and whose owner had
died and passed him on to other family
members (who passed him on to friends), had
the right to sue for his freedom
- The case eventually made it to the Supreme
Court, which said…
1857, Dred Scott v. Sandford
- No, a slave does not have the right to sue for
his freedom.
- Why not? Because persons of African descent
“were not and cannot be U.S. citizens” and
therefore have no rights in federal courts.
- Furthermore, the 1820 Missouri Compromise
(law) passed by Congress is unconstitutional.
Congress cannot dictate which states or
territories allow slavery.
1860 - 1870
1860 – 65 Civil War
1863
Emancipation Proclamation
1865
1868
1870
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
HW
• Read and highlight (selectively):
– Amendments 13, 14, 15 with special attention as
indicated on that sheet
– “U.S. Voting Rights Timeline”