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Article Bhagat Singh Thind v. US

  • Grade Level 9th-12th Grade
  • Time Period Early 1900s
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Introduction

The case “United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind” revolves around the question of whether a high caste Hindu from India qualifies as a “white person” under U.S. naturalization laws. The Supreme Court concluded that the term “white person” as used in the statute does not include individuals of Indian descent, based on popular understandings of race and physical characteristics at the time. The resource contains a reading and reflection questions.

1923 Supreme Court Ruling. Thind, a Sikh Indian man sues claiming South Asians are descendants of Caucasians (Aryans). Court decision defines what “Caucasian” or White means and affirms South Asians are not.

Essential Questions

  • What are civil rights?

  • Throughout U.S. history, what are some civil rights’ challenges Asian Americans have faced?

  • What are ways in which Asian Americans have fought for their civil rights?