Answer:
The correct answer is: b. They believed citizenship was something they needed to earn with loyalty.
Many Americans believed that the nation's imperial subjects should not be conferred American citizenship because they believed that citizenship should be earned through loyalty and commitment to the nation. They believed that granting citizenship too easily would devalue its significance and undermine the principles of loyalty and dedication to the nation.
This perspective was rooted in the idea that citizenship is not simply a legal status, but a privilege and responsibility that comes with certain rights and obligations. Americans believed that individuals should demonstrate their allegiance to the country and its values before being granted the rights and privileges associated with citizenship.
This belief was particularly prominent during periods of imperialism when the United States acquired territories and had to decide whether to extend citizenship to the inhabitants of those territories. Some Americans argued that granting citizenship to imperial subjects could potentially weaken national unity and lead to divided loyalties.
Instead, they believed that the path to citizenship should involve a process of assimilation and loyalty, where individuals would embrace American values, culture, and institutions before being granted the full rights and privileges of citizenship.
It is important to note that this belief was not universally held, and there were differing perspectives on the issue of conferring American citizenship to imperial subjects. However, the idea that citizenship should be earned through loyalty and assimilation was a significant factor in shaping the debate on this matter.
Step-by-step explanation: