About this Video

• Video Title: SS.7.C.2.1- Citizenship
• Channel: History Illustrated
• Speakers: Narrator
• Duration: 00:03:34

Introduction

This video explains the three pathways to United States citizenship: jus soli (law of the soil), jus sanguinis (law of the blood), and naturalization. It details the requirements for each, including the conditions for birthright citizenship and the steps involved in the naturalization process.

Key Takeaways

• Citizenship through Jus Soli (Law of the Soil): Individuals born within the United States are citizens, regardless of their parents' citizenship status.
• Citizenship through Jus Sanguinis (Law of the Blood): Individuals born outside the U.S. to at least one U.S. citizen parent are citizens.
• Citizenship through Naturalization: Foreign-born individuals can become citizens through a process requiring meeting specific criteria, including good moral character, age (18 or older), reading and writing proficiency in English, five years of U.S. residency, an oath of loyalty, and passing a civics test. The acronym "CARROT" (Character, Age, Read/Write, Residence, Oath, Test) is used to remember these requirements.

1. The 14th Amendment defines citizenship in the United States.
2. Citizenship can be acquired through Jus Soli (birth in the U.S.) or Jus Sanguinis (citizenship of a parent).
3. Naturalization is a process for foreign-born individuals to become citizens.
4. The naturalization process involves meeting requirements summarized by the acronym "CARROT".
5. One must be 18 years or older to naturalize.

1. The 14th Amendment defines citizenship in the United States.
2. A child born in the U.S. is a citizen regardless of their parents' citizenship status.
3. Naturalization is a process for foreign-born individuals to become citizens.
4. To naturalize, one must meet requirements including demonstrating good moral character, passing a civics test, and taking an oath of loyalty.
5. One must be 18 years or older to naturalize.