Question

question 9 of 10

how did the fourteenth amendment define a united states citizen?

a. as any free-born, permanent american resident
b. as anyone who was born in the united states
c. as any permanent resident who is male and of voting age
d. as anyone who has pledged allegiance to the united states

Explanation:

Analyze the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause

Using the Reconstruction Amendments knowledge point, we examine Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868. The very first sentence states: "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." This established the principle of birthright citizenship.

Evaluate the given options

• Option A limits citizenship to "free-born" residents, which contradicts the amendment's goal of granting citizenship to formerly enslaved people.
• Option B correctly identifies birth in the United States as the primary definition of citizenship under the amendment.
• Option C restricts citizenship by gender and age, which is incorrect.
• Option D describes naturalization oaths rather than the fundamental constitutional definition of a citizen.

Answer:

• (A) As any free-born, permanent American resident
• (B) As anyone who was born in the United States (Correct answer)
• (C) As any permanent resident who is male and of voting age
• (D) As anyone who has pledged allegiance to the United States