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Elk v. Wilkins (1884)

Lesson Plan

This mini-lesson examines the Supreme Court’s ruling that the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause did not apply to American Indians born on Native reservations. Students analyze a primary document and discover how the lack of citizenship affected the lives and cultures of Native Americans.

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Teacher Resources

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Elk v. Wilkins - American Indians & Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment - Facts of the Case
Elk v. Wilkins - American Indians & Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment Activities

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