Ramtin Arablouei

Chief Justice Melville Weston Fuller was the leader of the nine justices that made up the Supreme Court. And let's just say they had a bit of a reputation.

So the United States government, represented by Holmes Conrad, swung first.

So the United States government, represented by Holmes Conrad, swung first.

So the United States government, represented by Holmes Conrad, swung first.

That was the first piece of Conrad's argument. But then he made a bigger, bolder claim.

That was the first piece of Conrad's argument. But then he made a bigger, bolder claim.

That was the first piece of Conrad's argument. But then he made a bigger, bolder claim.

Conrad was making this argument in 1897 in front of the Supreme Court, over 30 years after the ink on the 14th Amendment had dried.

Conrad was making this argument in 1897 in front of the Supreme Court, over 30 years after the ink on the 14th Amendment had dried.

Conrad was making this argument in 1897 in front of the Supreme Court, over 30 years after the ink on the 14th Amendment had dried.

The government made its argument. Then it was Wong Kim Ark's lawyers' chance to counter.

The government made its argument. Then it was Wong Kim Ark's lawyers' chance to counter.

The government made its argument. Then it was Wong Kim Ark's lawyers' chance to counter.

Their second claim is that this common law principle was adopted in the 14th Amendment.

Their second claim is that this common law principle was adopted in the 14th Amendment.

Their second claim is that this common law principle was adopted in the 14th Amendment.

Millions of immigrants from Europe and around the world had moved to the U.S. in the 19th century. They were encouraged to come and populate the West through laws like the Homestead Act. And their children who were born here were de facto citizens. They could vote, at least the men could, start companies, and they were making up more and more of the population.

Millions of immigrants from Europe and around the world had moved to the U.S. in the 19th century. They were encouraged to come and populate the West through laws like the Homestead Act. And their children who were born here were de facto citizens. They could vote, at least the men could, start companies, and they were making up more and more of the population.

Millions of immigrants from Europe and around the world had moved to the U.S. in the 19th century. They were encouraged to come and populate the West through laws like the Homestead Act. And their children who were born here were de facto citizens. They could vote, at least the men could, start companies, and they were making up more and more of the population.

So the Supreme Court was suddenly having to address a fundamental issue.