Which of the following explains how citizenship was
expanded to Black people? (1 point)
a The Founders placed the Diversity of Jurisdiction Clause
in the Constitution.
b Congress passed the Naturalization Act of 1790.
c Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment.
d The Supreme Court issued the Dred Scott ruling.
c Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment.
c Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment.
The correct answer is c) Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the history of the expansion of citizenship to Black people.
Option a) The Diversity of Jurisdiction Clause is not relevant to the expansion of citizenship to Black people. This clause, also known as the Diversity Clause, addresses the jurisdiction between different states and citizens of different states, not the extension of citizenship rights to Black people.
Option b) The Naturalization Act of 1790, passed by Congress, only granted citizenship to "free white persons" who had lived in the United States for at least two years. It did not extend citizenship to Black people.
Option c) Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868. This amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved Black people. This was a significant step in expanding citizenship to Black people.
Option d) The Dred Scott ruling, issued by the Supreme Court in 1857, actually had the opposite effect. The court ruled that Black people, whether enslaved or free, were not considered citizens and therefore did not have the same rights and privileges as white citizens.
In summary, the correct answer is c) Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment, which played a crucial role in expanding citizenship to Black people.