This lesson plan dives into the 200+ years of birthright citizenship, from the U.S. Constitution and Dred Scott v. Sanford case to Wong Kim Ark, Executive Order 14160, and present-day legal challenges. Students will complete a 3-part Document-Based Question (DBQ), analyzing primary and secondary sources that include seminal texts, speeches, and court cases, to address the question: Is birthright citizenship a cornerstone of American democracy?
For Grades 10-12
