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Dred Scott v. Sandford
This court case determined that if African Americans had ancestors that were sold as slaves, they weren't considered citizens, even if they were free or emancipated. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery from all states and territories. This was a step towards granting African-Americans civil rights. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment states that anyone born in the US is a citizen of America, and the state that they live in. This allowed African-Americans the ability to be US citizens, allowing them all the rights of a citizen. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment allowed African-American men to vote. This was a huge step, but things like poll taxes and literacy tests made this difficult. -
Poll Taxes
This procedure was created to stop poor people from voting, as well as African-Americans. These were a thing until they were outlawed with the 24th amendment. -
White Primaries
White Primaries were primary elections where only white voters could vote. They started in the 1890s. These continued on until around 1944. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This Supreme Court case is when the phrase "Separate but Equal" became a popular phrase until Brown v. Board of Education. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. This is a big step for civil rights of all sexes. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson's decision of "Separate but Equal" by saying that segregated schools are a violation of the 14th amendment, and therefore unconstitutional. This gave African-American children the ability to get a better education, and to go to a school closer to them. -
24th Amendment
The 24th Amendment abolished poll taxes, so that everyone could vote fairly. This made it so that African-Americans, and poor people actually had a say in the government. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prevents discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion or national origin. This is including when hiring an employee, or promoting someone. -
Affirmative Action
Affirmative Action is to establish fair access for employment based on the actual qualifications. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The act outlawed discriminating when it came to voting, including literacy tests. -
Reed v. Reed
The Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to have different treat for men and women. This made it so that women had more chances, and couldn't be discriminated against based on their sex. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This amendment was proposed to allow more rights for American citizens, regardless of sex. However, the amendment was not ratified by enough states, and never officially became a part of the Constitution. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
This supreme court decision ruled that there cannot be a set number of places saved for minorities in business and colleges, etc. That would violate the Equal Protection Clause. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
This Supreme Court decision allowed states the ability to outlaw sodomy in the case of LGBTQ people. This was an example of anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric of the time period. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act prohibited discrimination based on disabilities. This act also required employers to have accommodations for their employees with disabilities. This act has relevance, even today. -
Motor Voter Act
This act allowed people to be able to register to vote while at motor vehicle agencies, such as the BMV. This was supposed to increase voter turnout but it didn't work as well as originally hoped. -
Lawrence v. Texas
This Supreme Court decision held that laws that made it a crime for same sex couples to have sex violates the Due Process Clause. This also overturned the decision of Bowers v. Hardwick. This was a huge step for equal protection of LGBTQ+ rights. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
This court case said the under the 14th Amendment, states have to recognize same-sex marriage.