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Landing at Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock was the site at which the Pilgrims first landed in the "New World." This is probably the most popular event when one thinks about immigration, and the fear and excitement that goes along with relocating to a brand new place. -
Masachusetts prohibits entrance of the disabled
Masachusetts did not want to have to support anyone "lame, impotent, or infirm," and so they prohibited anyone in those categories from coming in unless they proved that someone else was willing to take care of them. This was the first step to others being able to choose who they want in their own state. Today, we deal with many in the same way, not just the disabled, in that we accept esepecially those who we are sure will be supported by family or friends. -
Acts of Union
This was actually a set of two acts: Union with Scotland Act and Union with England Act. These acts united Scotland and England. As a reult of this, many Scottsman migrated to America. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles left the decision of citizenship up to the individual states. This would be carried through into the Constitution, a document that is still upheld today, making this clause extremely important. -
The Constitution
When the Constitution was created to replace the Articles of Confederation, it continued with the idea the citizenship would be a decision made by the individual states. As in here in Arizona, it is important for us to be allowed to search and figure out who is worthy of citizenship or who is coming here for the wrong reasons. -
Naturalization Act of 1795
This act allowed anyone white man to become a US citizen as long as they had completely left their home country, and accepted and contributed to America. I think this has influenced how we see those on the US-Mexico border. We never quite know if they really do want to leave their country and do whatever it takes to become a true, working citizen of America. -
Naturalization Act of 1798
This act, a part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, made the waiting period of citizenship longer for immigrants, increasing from 5 to 14 years. While the waiting period is now shorter than 14 years, it is still something followed today. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These set of acts increased the waiting period for immigrants (the Naturalization Act) and gave the president the right to deport anyone deemed harmful to national security. -
Irish Potato Famine
This famine forced thousands of Irish immigrants to migrate to America. They saw America as a safe place, and full of opportunity and especially food. Today, many still see America as a safe place, somewhere they can go to in times of hardship. -
End of Mexican-American War
At the end of this war, the Southwestern portion of land that is now part of the United States was seized from Mexico. Those living in what is today known as New Mexico and Arizona remained in those states and were granted citizenship. -
Know Nothing Party
This party was strongly opposed to immigrants and members of the Catholic Church. -
Homestead Act
This act, which granted 160 acres of land to anyone who had not shown any agression towards the United States, brought in a flood of immigrants looking for a new start in the "Land of Opportunity." -
Building of the Transcontinental Railroad
Many Chinese and Irish migrated here to work on this railroad. It again supported the idea that America was a land of opportunity and innovation for all. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
This act prohibited all Chinese from coming into America. With the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and the California Gold Rush, many Chinese were welcome to come and work; however, when an economic crisis hit, and the Chinese were "taking" jobs from born-Americans, new entrees were restricted. -
The Red Scare
The Red Scare was a fear held by Americans of Asian and European immigrants coming into America because they were afraid that they would bring Communism over here.
