With Congress’ passage of the Indian Citizenship Act, the government of the United States confers citizenship on all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the country.
Before the Civil War, citizenship was often limited to Native Americans of one-half or less Indian blood. In the Reconstruction period, progressive Republicans in Congress sought to accelerate the granting of citizenship to friendly tribes, though state support for these measures was often limited. In 1888, most Native American women married to U.S. citizens were conferred with citizenship.
In 1901, Congress passed a law granting citizenship to every Native person living in Indian Territory—at the time, that meant any member of the Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokees, Muscogees (Creek), Seminoles, Chickasaws and Choctaws. And in 1919, honorably discharged Native American veterans of World War I were offered citizenship.
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act, an all-inclusive act, was passed by Congress. The privileges of citizenship, however, were largely governed by state law, and the right to vote was often denied to Native Americans in the early 20th century.
Native American History Timeline
As explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various stages, from cooperation to indignation to revolt.
As explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various stages, from cooperation to indignation to revolt.
