2025-2026 MAE Citizenship Class 30

NY Hisorical Society: World War II // The Citizenship Project [E06]

N-400 practice

• Travel and Illegal Entry / Deportation plus Quiz 14: History Groups
• Question 17: Crimes

Preparing the Oath: The 1900s

Voices of Freedom: Ch 10: The 20th Century (Civil Rights movements next week)

A Summary of the US Constituion pdf

N-400 Part 12 Quiz 3 pdf

128 Civics Quiz: The 20th Century Part 1 pdf

USCIS 128:102. When did all women get the right to vote?

OpenAI. (2026). When did all women get the right to vote?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

In the early 1900s, many women in the United States worked hard to get the right to vote. These women were called suffragists because they supported women’s voting rights. At that time, women could vote in some western states, but most women could not vote in national elections.

One important leader was Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906). She spent many years giving speeches, organizing campaigns, and asking for equal voting rights. She died before women won the right to vote across the country, but her work inspired many later suffragists.

Another important leader was Carrie Chapman Catt (1859–1947). She led the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She organized campaigns and worked with politicians and state governments to support a constitutional amendment for women’s voting rights.

At the same time, younger activists such as Alice Paul (1885–1977) believed stronger protests were necessary. She organized large parades, marches, and demonstrations in Washington, D.C. In 1913, thousands of women marched for voting rights the day before President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) took office.

Later, Alice Paul and other suffragists protested outside the White House. These protesters were called the “Silent Sentinels.” Some women were arrested and sent to jail. While in prison, some suffragists went on hunger strikes to protest their treatment. Newspaper stories about these protests brought more public attention to the movement.

African American women also helped fight for voting rights. Leaders such as Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) worked for both racial equality and women’s suffrage, even though they often faced discrimination.

During World War I (1914–1918), many women worked in factories, hospitals, offices, and transportation jobs while men served in the military. Their work helped convince more Americans that women deserved equal rights, including the right to vote.

As support for women’s suffrage grew, Congress passed the 19th Amendment in 1919. The amendment said that citizens could not be denied the right to vote because of sex.

On August 18, 1920, enough states approved the amendment, and the 19th Amendment became part of the Constitution. Women across the United States gained the legal right to vote in national elections.

Although the amendment greatly expanded voting rights, some women—especially many African American, Native American, and Asian American women—still faced discrimination and voting barriers for many years afterward.

The success of the suffrage movement was an important moment in American history. It expanded democracy and gave millions of women a stronger voice in government and public life.

2025-2026 MAE Citizenship Class 29

iCivics:  Defining Citizenship - Teaching the Fourteenth Amendment

Also watch:

• Annenberg Classroom: The Reconstruction Amendments
• iCivics: The Constitution Explained Playlist English | Spanish
• New York Historical Society: The Emancipation Proclamation
• TED-ED: The electrifying speeches of Sojourner Truth - Daina Ramey Berry
• TED-ED: The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman - Janell Hobson
• TED-ED: One of the most "dangerous" men in American history - Keenan Norris
• TED-ED: The historic women’s suffrage march on Washington - Michelle Mehrtens
• The American Experience: The Supreme Court Case that Affirmed Birthright Citizenship

N-400 practice

• N-400 2023: E4 Marriage and Children / Immigration Fraud plus Quiz 13: Civic Groups
• N-400 2024: Questions 15 and 16: Arrests 

Preparing the Oath: The 1800s

Voices of Freedom: Ch 9: The 1800s and the Civil War (follow-up: need to review other amendments and 1800s activism)

A Summary of the US Constituion pdf

N-400 Part 12 Quiz 2 pdf

128 Civics Quiz: The 1800s (saved from last next week)

USCIS 128:101. Why did the United States enter World War I?

OpenAI. (2026). Why did the United States enter World War I?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

World War I began in 1914, but the United States did not enter the war right away. At first, many Americans wanted the country to remain neutral and stay out of the fighting in Europe. President Woodrow Wilson also hoped the United States could avoid war.

The war was fought between two major groups. The Allied Powers included Great Britain, France, Italy, and Russia. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

One important reason the United States entered the war was because Germany attacked U.S. civilian and trade ships. Germany used submarines called U-boats to attack ships in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1915, a German submarine sank the British passenger ship RMS Lusitania. About 1,200 people died, including Americans. This shocked many people in the United States.

Another reason was that the United States wanted to support the Allied Powers. The United States traded heavily with Great Britain and France. Many Americans also felt cultural and political connections with these countries. As the war continued, many people believed an Allied victory was important for democracy and world stability.

The United States also opposed the actions of the Central Powers, especially Germany. Germany’s submarine attacks hurt international trade and threatened American lives and businesses.

In 1917, Americans became even more upset after learning about the Zimmermann Telegram. This was a secret message from Germany to Mexico. Germany promised to help Mexico recover land lost to the United States if Mexico joined the war against America. When the message became public, many Americans demanded stronger action.

Because of these events, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany in April 1917. He said the United States should help make the world “safe for democracy.”

After entering the war, American soldiers and supplies helped the Allied Powers. The fighting ended on November 11, 1918, known today as Veterans Day in the United States.

World War I was important because it changed the role of the United States in the world. After the war, the United States became more involved in international affairs and became a stronger world power.

USCIS 128:100. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

OpenAI. (2026). Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The 1900s were a time of many wars around the world. During this century, the United States became more involved in world events and fought in several wars overseas. These wars changed American society, the economy, technology, and the role of the United States in the world.

One important war was World War I from 1914 to 1918. At first, the United States stayed neutral and did not join the war. Later, Germany attacked ships connected to the United States, so the U.S. entered the war in 1917. The United States fought with the Allied countries, including Great Britain and France. American soldiers helped defeat Germany, and the war ended in 1918.

About twenty years later, the world entered another war called World War II from 1939 to 1945. Before the United States joined the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the Four Freedoms Speech in January 6, 1941. He said that all people should have:

• freedom of speech,
• freedom of religion,
• freedom from want,
• and freedom from fear.

These ideas became important goals during the war.

The United States entered World War II after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. The United States fought against Germany, Italy, and Japan.

During World War II, millions of Americans served in the military or worked in factories to help the war effort. Many women started working.  The war ended in Europe in May 1945 and in Asia in September 1945 after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

After World War II, the United States and communist countries had many disagreements during a time called the Cold War. One war during this time was the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. North Korea invaded South Korea, and the United States helped defend South Korea. The war ended with an armistice, but Korea is still divided today.

Another Cold War conflict was the Vietnam War, which lasted from the 1950s until 1975. The United States supported South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam. Many Americans disagreed about the war, and large anti-war protests took place across the country. The war had a major impact on American politics and society.

Later, the United States fought in the Persian Gulf War in 1990–1991. The war began after Iraq invaded Kuwait. The United States and its allies forced Iraqi troops to leave Kuwait.

These wars changed the United States in many ways. They affected politics, civil rights, immigration, technology, and the economy. Many Americans served in the military, and many families were affected by war.

USCIS 128:99. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.

OpenAI. (2026). Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

In the 1800s, women in the United States had fewer rights than men. In many places, women could not vote, hold public office, serve on juries, or control their own property after marriage. Many women believed these laws were unfair and began working for change. Their efforts became known as the women’s rights movement.

Many early women’s rights leaders were also active in the movement to end slavery. While attending anti-slavery meetings, some women realized that they were also being denied equal rights. This helped inspire the fight for women’s equality.

One important event was the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 in New York. It was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902) and Lucretia Mott (1793–1880). At the convention, leaders wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, a document that called for equal rights for women, including the right to vote.

Another important leader was Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906). She traveled across the country giving speeches and organizing campaigns for women’s suffrage, or the right to vote. Anthony worked closely with Stanton for many years. Together, they became two of the most important leaders of the movement.

Sojourner Truth (about 1797–1883) was another important voice. She escaped slavery and later became a powerful speaker for both abolition and women’s rights. In 1851, she gave her famous speech called “Ain’t I a Woman?” in Ohio. In the speech, she argued that Black women deserved the same rights and respect as others.

Harriet Tubman (about 1822–1913) is best known for helping enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad, but she also supported women’s voting rights later in her life. She spoke at meetings and worked with suffrage leaders.

Another leader, Lucy Stone (1818–1893), became famous for speaking publicly about women’s rights and opposing slavery. She also helped organize national women’s rights groups and published newspapers supporting equality.

The women’s rights movement lasted many years. Finally, in 1920, the United States passed the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote nationwide.

Today, these women are remembered for helping expand freedom and equality in the United States.

USCIS 128:98. When did all men get the right to vote?

OpenAI. (2026).  When did all men get the right to vote?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

After the Civil War ended in 1865, the United States began a period called Reconstruction. During Reconstruction, the country worked to rebuild the South and create new rights for formerly enslaved people.

Before the Civil War, slavery existed in many southern states, and most African Americans could not vote. After the war, the 13th Amendment ended slavery, and the 14th Amendment defined citizenship and equal protection under the law. Many leaders believed that voting rights were also necessary for freedom and equality.

During Reconstruction, African American men began participating in politics. Some voted for the first time, attended political meetings, and even served in local, state, and national government. However, many white southern leaders opposed these changes.

Because of this, Congress proposed the 15th Amendment. The amendment said that the federal government and the states could not deny a citizen the right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. In simple terms, it protected the voting rights of African American men.

The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870. This meant that all men officially gained the legal right to vote regardless of race.

Even after the amendment passed, many African American, Asian, and Latino men still faced discrimination. Some southern states created unfair laws such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation to prevent Black citizens from voting.

During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, activists worked to protect voting rights again. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against discrimination. In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which helped enforce the protections of the 15th Amendment.

Today, the 15th Amendment remains an important part of the Constitution because it helped expand democracy and voting rights in the United States.

EXTRA: 

It is important to note that Native Americans did not have the right to vote until 1924, and some states waited until the 1960s to extend this vital right.

USCIS 128:117.   Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

USCIS 128:97. What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?

OpenAI. (2026).  What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The 14th Amendment was approved by Congress on June 13, 1866, and ratified by the states on July 9, 1868. 

The 14th Amendment was created after the Civil War to protect the rights of people who had been enslaved. This amendment extended the freedoms and rights in the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people and helped make sure they were treated as full citizens under the law.

The 14th Amendment has five sections.  The first section includes four clauses that rights:

First, it explains citizenship.

• If a baby is born in the United States, the baby is a U.S. citizen.  This is called birthright citizenship.
• A person can naturalize by fulfilling eligibility requirements.  After meeting the requirements and taking the Oath of Allegiance, the person becomes a U.S. citizen.
• As citizens, a baby born in the U.S. and a naturalized person, are citizens of the United States and citizens of the State where they live.  They have rights and responsibilities in their State and the United States.

Second, the 14th Amendment includes the Privileges or Immunities Clause. This means states cannot take away basic rights that belong to U.S. citizens.

Third, it also has the Due Process Clause. This means the government must follow fair rules and laws before it can take away a person’s life, liberty, or property.

Last, there is the Equal Protection Clause. This means the law must treat people fairly and equally.

In simple terms, the 14th Amendment defines citizenship and protects equal rights for all people under the law.

EXTRA:

Although the 14th Amendment gave citizenship to people born in the United States in 1868, many Native Americans did not automatically become U.S. citizens. At that time, many Native Americans were considered members of their own tribal nations and not fully under the authority of the U.S. government.  

Native Americans were granted United States citizenship on June 2, 1924, through the Indian Citizenship Act. This act granted citizenship to all Native Americans born within the U.S. without requiring them to give up their tribal affiliations.

USCIS 128:74.   Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? *

USCIS 128:96. What U.S. war ended slavery?

OpenAI. (2026). What U.S. war ended slavery?   [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Civil War is the U.S. war that ended slavery. It took place from 1861 to 1865.

Before the war, the United States was divided. The northern states (Union) wanted to keep the country together, while the southern states (Confederacy) wanted to leave the Union. A major issue was slavery.

Even before the war, many people worked to end slavery. These people were called abolitionists. For example, Frederick Douglass spoke and wrote against slavery. Harriet Tubman helped enslaved people escape to freedom. William Lloyd Garrison used his newspaper to argue for immediate abolition.

The war began on April 12, 1861, at the Battle of Fort Sumter. During the war, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This order freed enslaved people in the Confederate states, but it did not end slavery everywhere and depended on the Union winning the war.

Because of this, leaders in Congress decided to create a permanent law to end slavery. In 1864 and 1865, members of Congress debated a new amendment to the Constitution. Some lawmakers strongly supported it, saying slavery must end forever. Others opposed it or worried about its effects. The debate was difficult, and the amendment did not pass at first.

President Lincoln supported the amendment and encouraged Congress to act. In January 1865, the House of Representatives finally approved the 13th Amendment after a close and important vote. The Senate had already passed it earlier.

After Congress approved it, the amendment was sent to the states. By December 1865, enough states had approved it, and the 13th Amendment became law. It officially ended slavery in all parts of the United States.

In simple terms, the Emancipation Proclamation began freeing enslaved people during the war, and the 13th Amendment made the end of slavery permanent in the Constitution.

The Civil War is important because it kept the country united and led to the final and legal end of slavery.

Also see: USPS 32c Civil War pane of twenty stamps source (note: the back has mini biographies!)