Paul Jones

Mrs. Quinn
G.A.L.R.E.
December 8, 2010
Unit 6 Lesson 33 – Reviewing and Using the Lesson
1. How was citizenship defined in the United States before and after the Fourteenth Amendment?
Before the 14th Amendment was enacted, each State had the right to determine the citizenship
of children born within its borders; anyone who became a citizen of any State was automatically
a citizen of the United States. Its Citizenship Clause provides a broad definition of citizenship
that overruled the decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, which held that blacks could not be
citizens of the United States.
2. Explain how jus soli, jus sanguines, and residency differ as principles for defining citizenship.
Right of the soil, right of the blood, indefinite residence within a country despite not having
citizenship.
3. How does the Constitution define national and state citizenship?
The 14th Amendment defines citizenship this way: "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." But even this does not get specific enough. As usual, the
Constitution provides the framework for the law, but it is the law that fills in the gaps. The
Constitution authorizes the Congress to do create clarifying legislation in Section 5 of the 14th
Amendment; the Constitution, in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4, also allows the Congress to
create law regarding naturalization, which includes citizenship.
4. How is citizenship through naturalization different from citizenship by birth?
Citizenship by naturalization is achieved, whereas citizenship by birth is ascribed.
5. Should all Americans be required to demonstrate their knowledge of American government and
history as naturalized citizens must do in order to become citizens? Explain.

6. How do the rights and responsibilities of citizens differ from those of resident aliens?
Lawful Permanent Residents generally do not have the right to vote, the right to be elected in
federal and state elections, the ability to bring family members to the United States (permanent
residents are allowed to sponsor certain family members, but this is often not practical due to
long approval delays), or eligibility for federal government jobs. Male permanent residents
between the ages of 18 and 26 are subject to registering in the Selective Service System.