How did most Indigenous Americans acquire U.S. citizenship?(1 point)
Responses
through state and local law
through state and local law
through treaties and federal law
through treaties and federal law
through treaties and state law
through treaties and state law
through state law and federal law
through treaties and federal law
Most Indigenous Americans acquired U.S. citizenship through treaties and federal law.
Most Indigenous Americans acquired U.S. citizenship through treaties and federal law. To understand this, we need to explore the historical background.
When European colonizers arrived in what is now the United States, they encountered various Indigenous tribes and nations already residing there. Over time, the U.S. government negotiated treaties with many of these Indigenous groups, establishing agreements on various matters, including land rights, access to resources, and peaceful coexistence.
Some of these treaties also addressed the issue of citizenship. In specific cases, Indigenous individuals were granted U.S. citizenship through these treaties. For example, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848 between the U.S. and Mexico, granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans living within territories ceded by Mexico.
In addition to treaties, federal law also played a significant role in granting citizenship to Indigenous Americans. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, also known as the Snyder Act, was passed by the U.S. Congress and granted full U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans, regardless of their tribal affiliation. This act acknowledged the rights of Native Americans as full citizens of the United States.
It's important to note that state and local laws also played a role in the acquisition of U.S. citizenship by Indigenous Americans, but they were often influenced by or aligned with federal legislation and treaties. So, while state and local laws were part of the process, the main pathway to citizenship for Indigenous Americans was through treaties and federal law.