Histories of Migration, Citizenship and Belonging

Migration is a natural part of living systems, and human history is no exception. Yet it remains one of the most debated public issues of our time.

Both people and borders move. Who is allowed to move, and who is granted rights, lies at the heart of how nations define belonging. In Germany and the United States alike, these debates have been deeply intertwined with evolving ideas of race and ethnicity.

These timelines trace how citizenship and belonging have been constructed, challenged, and redefined through laws, social movements, global events, and cultural works — and how those histories continue to shape the present.

Germany

Explore how Germany’s migration history — from imperial expansion and colonial entanglements to postwar labor recruitment and citizenship reform — has shaped debates about nationhood and belonging

United States

Examine how the United States has defined belonging — from colonial settlement, Indigenous displacement, and enslavement to immigration law, civil rights struggles, and contemporary debates.

What you will find in each entry

Long-form narrative (200–500 words)
Academic sources and additional resources to dig deeper
Sidebar with images, videos and quotes
Related events and stories from our archive
Topic & Era categories

Click to enlarge

Learn how these timelines were made

How you can get the most out of these timelines

Educators:
Use timeline entries as anchors for lessons, historical framing, or paired primary sources to bring migration history into your coursework.
Students:
Explore events chronologically or filter by era or topic to support research projects and essays.
General Public:
Browse key moments in immigration history and discover stories that expand dominant narratives.
Researchers:
Use topics to explore continuities. Access curated academic sources and cross-referenced materials for further study.