Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between so-called "whiteness"
And American citizenship throughout history?

A) American citizenship has never been tied to "whiteness" and the meaning of "white" has remained constant over time.
B) American citizenship has never been tied to "whiteness" because the meaning of "white" has shifted considerably over time.
C) American citizenship has always been tied to "whiteness" even as the meaning of "white" shifted over time.
D) American citizenship has always been tied to "whiteness" and the meaning of "white" has remained constant over time.

Throughout the history of the United States, American citizenship has been tied to "whiteness," even as the meaning of "white" has shifted over time due to changing societal and legal definitions. For example, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, people of Irish, Italian, and Jewish descent were not always considered "white" and faced discrimination as a result. However, they were eventually included under the legal definition of "white" and granted full citizenship. This pattern of defining and redefining "whiteness" to include or exclude certain groups has been a consistent feature of American history.