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Dred Scott v Sanford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri but moved to Louisiana, a free slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820, in 1833. Scott filed for freedom in Missouri court but lost the case so he brought a new suit to the federal court. In the Supreme Court, the majority held that slaves cannot be American citizens meaning they also do not have the right to sue in federal court. -
13th amendment
The thirteenth amendment abolished slavery in the United States and anywhere under its jurisdiction. The Confederate states were also required to ratify the amendment. -
14th amendment
The fourteenth amendment granted citizenship to all persons "born or naturalized in the United States,". This included former slaves and gave people "equal protection under the laws,". The government was allowed to punish states that did not give all citizens the right to vote. This amendment gave citizens more freedom and opened up the road to equality. -
15th amendment
The fifteenth amendment granted African American men the right to vote. This action led to more equality. -
Plessy v Ferguson
A man by the name of Homer Plessy was convicted of sitting in a car for "whites only" on a train. Plessy's lawyer argued that the Separate Car Act violated the 13th and 14th amendment. The majority opinion, however decided that segragation did not itself constitute unlawful discrimination. This case gave way to more ways of segregation. -
19th amendment
The nineteenth amendment granted women the right to vote. This paved the way for women's equality to eventually give them more rights. -
White Primaries
White primaries were used to deny voting rights to African Americans. Political parties in the democratic south were allowed to exclude African Americans from primary elections. This was a way to deprive African Americans of having a voice in elections. Eventually, white primaries were announced unconstitutional in 1944. -
Brown v Board of Education
This case was a consolidation of many cases involving segregation in public schools. Many believed that not allowing African Americans to be admitted to certain public schools went against the 14th amendment. Thankfully, the Court did not take the school's side and said that separate but equal educational facilities violate the equal protection clause and 14th amendment. -
Affirmative action
Affirmative action is the requirement that an organization takes positive steps to increase the number or proportion of women, African Americans, or other minorities in its membership. This action meant more equality and diversity in organizations. -
Poll Taxes
Before the 24th amendment, people had to pay a fee in order to vote in a national election. This created inequality because it targeted African Americans. Poll taxes were eventually prohibited thanks to the 24th amendment. -
24th amendment
The 24th amendment outlawed the poll tax as a requirement to vote in federal elections. The poll taxed affected mostly African Americans, which reversed the road to equality. The passing of this amendment helped African Americans become more equal. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed and put into action by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This act prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, or natural origin in hiring, promoting, or firing. This act helped create even more quality for not just African Americans, but women as well. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act was signed and put into practice by Lyndon Johnson as well. This act put a stop to discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests. This act helped the nation become more of a democracy and helped everyone have an equal right to vote. -
Reed v Reed
After a couple's son died, the father was entitled to be appointed administrator but Sally challenged the code in court saying it violated the equal protection clause. The court unanimously sided with Sally Reed and agreed that the choice of who is administrator should not be based solely on sex. -
Equal Rights Amendment
After the nineteenth amendment was passed, women were determined to not stop there and continue advocating for the rights women deserve. The ERA has still not been passed in all 50 states. This amendment would prohibit states from denying equal rights to people based on sex. It would guarantee equal rights between men and women. -
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
Allan Bakke was denied admittance to the Unversity of California of Medical School at Davis even though his GPA and test scores exceeded every other applicant's. The Court decided that the racial quota system violated the Civil Rights Act and took Bakke's side. -
Bowers v Hardwick
Hardwick was accused of engaging in homosexual sodomy, which went against Georgia's statute. The Court decided against Hardwick and said states were allowed to make restrictions on homosexual practices because the Constitution did not protect them. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination against disabled persons in several areas. This opened up even more equality in America. -
Lawrence v Texas
John Lawrence was arrested for engaging in sexual conduct with someone of the same gender. The Court ruled that the Due Process Clause protected their right to engage in their conduct without intervention of the government. -
Obergefell v Hodges
Groups of same-sex couples challenged the constitutionality of state bans on same-sex marriage. The Court came to a conclusion in a 5-4 decision that the states' statutes violated both the clauses and people of the same sex should be allowed to marry. This was a hugely controversial issue and still is today but same-sex marriage was one of the big steps for the LGBTQ community to reach equality.
