-
Many Irish immigrants came to America as a result of the "Great Potato Famine" in which many Irishmen lost their farms because of a disease which destroyed the nation's chief crop - potatoes. The Irish could become American citizens under the Naturalization Act of 1790 which granted citizenship to "free white persons of good character" who had lived within the dominion of the United States for a period of 2 years (Immigration History.org, 2022). -
Many different people from various nations of the world immigrated to America for diverse reasons, bringing along with them several aspects of their variegated cultures that make up the "Melting Pot" that America is today.
-
Like the Irish, many German immigrants came to America in the mid-nineteenth century. Unlike the Irish however, many Germans immigrated to America mainly for political, religious, and economic freedom. Under the Naturalization Act of 1790, the German immigrants were also eligible for American citizenship. -
Oberlin Collegiate Institution in Oberlin, Ohio was the first institution of higher learner to allow the admission of both men and women no matter what their race. -
Like many other European immigrants, the British traveled to America for economic success, and were able to achieve American citizenship under the Naturalization Act of 1790. -
In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell set a precedent as the first woman to graduate with her medical degree. -
The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 provided a start to the abolition of slavery in America, and allowed African Americans to join the army (the Union Army). -
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery throughout America, freeing all African Americans from "involuntary servitude." -
The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to all formerly enslaved people i.e. the African American population. This amendment also provided all Americans with due process, and equal protection. -
Many Chinese Immigrants came to America for economic and political freedom. Unfortunately the Chinese were not allowed to become American citizens until 1943 when Congress would repeal the Chinese exclusion laws. -
In 1870, with the election of Hiram Revels as the first black American senator, and the election of Joseph Rainy as the first black member of the House of Representatives, African Americans were now officially allowed to become members of their governmental system. -
The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, granted African American men the right to vote. -
Jim Crow laws was the name of the laws that applied specifically to African Americans (giving them "separate but equal" opportunities that were supposedly equivalent to the opportunities of the white population) that were officially revoked by the mid 1960s under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Many Canadians immigrated to America in search of economic prosperity mainly because of agricultural problems in Quebec. They were able to attain American citizenship under the Naturalization Act of 1790. -
Many Italians immigrated to the United States for good economic well-being. The Italians could become American citizens under the Immigration Act of 1882 which stated that all immigrants to America had to pay a $.50 tax and denied entry to "convicts, lunatics, and persons likely to become public charges" ( Museum at Eldridge Street, 2022). -
Russians immigrated to America to escape religious persecution, and to achieve political and economic freedom. Under the Immigration Act of 1882 and the Bureau of Immigration created in 1891, Russians were able to achieve American citizenship by paying a $.50 tax; however, strict vigilance was kept over who could enter America. -
Many Hungarians came to America for its economic opportunities. They, of course, could achieve American citizenship by paying a $.50 tax under the Immigration Act of 1882, and were strictly monitored by the Bureau of Immigration which was established in 1891. -
The Seventeenth Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators by all Americans. -
Jeannette Rankin was sworn in as the first woman in the House of Representatives, which set a precedent for women to finally be allowed to become active members of the government. -
Many Mexican immigrants came to the United States in search of work to better the living condition of their families and achieve economic prosperity. The Mexican immigrants were eligible for American citizenship under the Immigration Act of 1882 by paying a $.50 tax, but were under the surveillance of the Bureau of Immigration founded in1891. -
The Nineteenth Amendment, ratified on August 19,1920, officially granted all women in America the right to vote. -
The women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 officially granted women the right to enlist in the army. -
The Supreme Court declared that segregation in public education was, indeed, unconstitutional. As a result, black and white children were allowed to attend the same schools. -
Cubans immigrated to America for political and economic reasons, but were not allowed to become permanent American citizens until the Cuban Adjustment Act was created in 1966, granting all Cubans who have lived in America for up to a year to apply for lawful residence in the United States. -
The Twenty-Third amendment provided Americans living in the District of Columbia with the right to vote -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 officially ended segregation in America forever, allowing both white and black Americans to have the same rights. -
This act overthrew the barriers that prevented African Americans from voting, such as literacy tests. -
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment lowered the voting age for all Americans to age 18. -
The Filipinos came to America for economic welfare, mainly by studying or doing agricultural work. The Filipino people were allowed to become naturalized American citizens both in their own nation, and in America under the 1946 Lucer-Celler Bill. -
Many Latin Americans immigrated to America for economic freedom and prosperity. By this time, under the Immigration act of 1990, as well as the Citizenship USA program, Latin Americans were offered full American citizenship. -
Many Indian people came to the US in the year 2000 for religious and economic freedom. Under the Citizenship program of that time in American History, it, of course, was required that they like all other immigrants be involved in the Citizenship program; they basically had to take classes on American history and culture before becoming a permanent American citizen. -
Vietnamese people came to America for political and economic freedom. They, of course, like all other immigrants since 1990, were allowed full American citizenship after taking a part in the American Citizenship program specifically for immigrants. -
Many South Koreans came to America for political, and economic stability. They were offered full American citizenship after taking part in the the Citizenship program for all immigrants.