Extending Rights to All

1. Extending Rights to All 1791 - present

2. 1791 What documents and institutions protect the rights of Americans?

3. 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

4. 1791 But who is an American citizen?

5. 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.

6. 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?

7. 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

8. Only “free white persons” need apply Until what year would the 1790 Naturalization Act be in effect?

9. Only “free white persons” need apply Until what year would the 1790 Naturalization Act be in effect? 1952

10. 1791 Among citizens, who had the right to vote? Under the U.S. Constitution, who got to decide?

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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.)

15. 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…

16. 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…

17. 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.

18. 1860 - 1870 1860 – 65 Civil War • Emancipation Proclamation 1865 13th Amendment 1868 14th Amendment 1870 15th Amendment