Citizenship and the Struggle for the Right to Vote
Introduction
What does it mean to be a citizen? Take some time to have students share their answers.
The term American citizen is a relatively new term. It was not until July of 1776 that the Declaration of Independence is signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, creating “American citizens” for the first time in history. While we don’t think of the word citizen as being very important, it was a big deal at the time! Until then, those living in America were subjects of the King of England. Here is what it means to be a subject of the King.
Subjects
- Had a political duty to the king/queen (also called a sovereign)
- From the Latin “sub” (under) and “jacio” (to throw), so people were “thrown under” the power of the sovereign
- Must be loyal to the sovereign
Discuss with students how the role of subject differs from the role of citizen.
Citizens
- Hold a political duty to themselves and their fellow citizens
- From the Roman usage meaning a legally-recognized member of a state, with associated rights and obligations
- Holds sovereignty (power and authority) for themselves
One of our most sacred rights as a citizen of the United States is the right to vote. Guaranteeing the right to vote for everyone has been a long struggle and one still going on today. Use the following timeline to appreciate the struggle over time and discuss how it has changed for the better.
US Voting Rights Timeline
1789 - Constitution, Article 1, Section II - “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.”
Section IV - “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof…”
1790 - Naturalization Law
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That any Alien being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof ... and making proof to the satisfaction of such Court that he is a person of good character...such person shall be considered as a Citizen of the United States.”
1868 - 14th Amendment
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.”
1870 - 15th Amendment
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
1882- Chinese Exclusion Act
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act, and until the expiration of ten years next after the passage of this act, the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be, and the same is hereby, suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or, having so come after the expiration of said ninety days, to remain within the United States.”
(Extended indefinitely by later legislation)
1887 - Dawes Act
Every Indian born within the territorial limits of the United States who has voluntarily taken up, within said limits, his residence separate and apart from any tribe of Indians therein, and has adopted the habits of civilized life, is hereby declared to be a citizen of the United States, and is entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of such citizens…”
1920 - 19th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all non citizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby, declared to be citizens of the United States: Provided That the granting of such citizenship shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of any Indian to tribal or other property.”
1924 - Indian Citizenship (The Snyder Act)
“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all non citizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby, declared to be citizens of the United States: Provided That the granting of such citizenship shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of any Indian to tribal or other property.”
1943 - Magnuson Act
Repealed the Chinese Exclusion Acts, allowing Chinese immigrants and their descendents to become citizens of the United States
1964 - 24th Amendment
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
1965 - Voting Rights Acts
To assure that the right of citizens of the United States to vote is not denied or abridged on account of race or color, no citizen shall be denied the right to vote in any Federal, State, or local election because of his failure to comply with any test or device in any State…
The phrase "test or device" shall mean any requirement that a person as a prerequisite for voting or registration for voting (1) demonstrate the ability to read, write, understand, or interpret any matter, (2) demonstrate any educational achievement or his knowledge of any particular subject, (3) possess good moral character, or (4) prove his qualifications by the voucher of registered voters or members of any other class.”
1971 - 26th Amendment , Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
So how and why did all of these changes happen? Using their rights and responsibilities seriously and wisely, citizens created their own change! Listed below are a few of their vehicles for change.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of assembly
Right to protest
Right to petition our government
Responsibility to stay informed of the issues affecting your community
Responsibility to participate in the democratic process
Responsibility to participate in your local community
How can you use these opportunities to foster change?
Next you will meet Virginia Minor a nineteenth century, St. Louis. suffragist who used her rights to be a vehicle for change.
