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Dred Scott V. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri. He resided in Illinois for a time, where slavery was forbidden by the Missouri Compromise of 1820. After returning to Missouri, Scott filed suit in Missouri court for his freedom, claiming that his residence in free territory made him a free man. This was denied by the Missouri courts, so he filed a federal suit. In a 7-2 decision, it was decided that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional and that Dred Scott was still a slave. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment formally outlawed the practice of slavery in the United States. It was passed by Congress on January 31st, 1865, and ratified by the states on December 6th, 1865. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment extended citizenship and the full protection of the law to all people born or naturalized in the United States and prohibits states from passing laws that challenge those rights. It also establishes that Congress has the power to enforce this amendment with "appropriate legislation." -
15th Amendment
The right to vote isn't limited by race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy V. Ferguson was a Supreme Court case that was brought to the court to argue the validity of the "separate but equal" doctrine. The court decided 7-2 that "separate but equal" facilities were constitutional. -
19th Amendment
States that the right to vote can't be restricted on the basis of sex. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee legal equality for all citizens regardless of sex. It was passed by congress multiple times but never ratified by the states. -
White Primary
White Primaries were primary elections in which only white voters were allowed to vote. First introduced in South Carolina in 1896, it quickly spread to other southern states. Throughout their existence, the Supreme Court held 4 cases on white primaries; three of which declared their unconstitutionality. -
Brown V. Board
A series of cases between Oliver Brown and the Topeka Board of Education in which it was decided 9-0 that the doctrine "separate but equal" was declared unconstitutional as it violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. -
Affirmative Action
A policy started by JFK to ensure employees of government contractors are treated fairly without regard to race or nationality. This was later expanded to public schools. -
24th Amendment
The right to vote can't be limited by the ability to afford a poll tax or any other tax. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin. Also forbade taking race into account for hiring or promotions in companies. -
Poll Tax
Poll taxes were introduced in most Southern states in the late 19th century as a way to prevent poor, typically black, voters from voting in elections. This practice continued until the 24th amendment prohibited poll taxes. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits restricting the right to vote on the basis of race or color by giving the government power to enforce the 15th amendment. -
Reed v. Reed
An Idaho law gave preference to men when it came to estate ownership. In a 9-0 decision, it was decided that the law was unconstitutional and that ownership of property could not be limited on the basis of sex. -
Regents V. Bakke
A Supreme Court ruling that declared that racial quotas for admissions were unconstitutional but the use of affirmative action was constitutional in some cases. -
Bowers V. Hardwick
A 5-4 decision ruled that there was no constitutional protection for acts of sodomy and that it is up to the states to determine their sodomy laws. Overturned in Lawrence V. Texas. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act outlines that all public services and private establishments must be accessible to disabled Americans. -
Motor Voter Act
A bill that allowed mail-in ballots for elections and made the delivery of ballots nonprofit. -
Lawrence V. Texas
A 6-3 decision overturned Bowers V. Hardwick. Determines that there is a constitutional right to privacy between two consenting adults. -
Obergefell V. Hodges
A 5-4 Supreme Court decision that states every state must recognize and license same-sex marriage.