-
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was an enslaved man who lived in Illinois (where slavery was illegal) from 1833 to 1843 before moving back to Missouri (where slavery was legal). He argued that he was a free man because he lived in a free state. The court found in a 7-2 decision that not only was Scott not a citizen, but he was property and therefore could not bring a case in front of the court. The court also found that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. -
!3th Amendment
Slavery, or "involuntary servitude", is outlawed in the US and anywhere with US jurisdiction. This amendment also gave Congress the power to enforce it. -
Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow laws were laws designed to keep African Americans from voting after the 15th amendment. Poor white Americans who were affected by laws (ex. the literacy test) were "grandfathered in" and could still vote. These laws kept African Americans from voting for about 100 years. They also kept African Americans segregated for just as long. -
14th Amendment
- Defines citizenship (anyone born or naturalized in the US) and the states can't deny anyone of their natural rights without Due Process (Due Process Clause) 2.Repeals the 3/5 Compromise, any male US citizen over the age of 21 can't be denied representation (Equal Protection Clause)
- Confederates can't be a part of the federal government (Congress can overturn this by 2/3 vote)
- The government isn't responsible for Civil War debts
-
15th Amendment
The government cannot deny the right to vote based on race or "previous condition of servitude". While this technically made it possible for African Americans and former slaves to vote, Jim Crow laws made it extremely difficult in some places (especially the South). -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Homer Plessy was arrested for riding in a white car on a train. He sued, saying the Separate Car Act he was arrested under violated his 13th and 14th amendment rights. The Court found that separate but equal facilities were constitutional. -
19th Amendment
The government cannot deny the right to vote based off of gender. This gave women the right to vote. -
Equal Protection Amendment
This proposed amendment would guarantee equal legal rights for all people regardless of gender. This would end disparity between men and women in things like pay, divorce, etc. 38 states ratified it, but the time limit had passed, and is now in legal limbo. Versions of this amendment have been proposed for 100 years. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
African American children were forced to go to segregated schools that were lacking in comparison to the schools for their white counterparts. The NAACP sponsored the lawsuit, saying that separating the schools violated the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment. The Court agreed, stating that separate but equal schools were inherently unequal. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prohibited discrimination in housing, employment, etc. based on race, gender, color, religion, and national origin. This ended Jim Crow era laws, and gave discriminated-against groups legal protection, especially African Americans. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act removed barriers to voting imposed on African American by Jim Crow laws. This was different from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because this act prohibited discrimination in voting whereas the CRA of '64 prohibited discrimination. Additional legislation was needed to repeal Jim Crow era laws. -
Reed v. Reed
Sally Reed and Cecil Reed sought to be named the administrator of their late son's estate, but Idaho Probate Code gave preference to males over females in these cases. Sally sued, saying the probate code violated the Equal Protection Act of the 14th amendment. The Court unanimously agreed with Sally, saying that laws couldn't dictate preference for one gender over another simply on the basis of gender. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Bakke was denied entry to medical school at UC Davis because their admission system only allowed for 84 of 100 spots to be taken by white applicants in a racial quota system. The Court ruled that this violated his 14th amendment rights under the Equal Protection Clause and violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Hardwick was seen by a Georgia Police Officer engaging in "consensual homosexual sodomy" in his own home. This violated a Georgia law outlawing sodomy. The Court ruled that this was law was NOT unconstitutional because the Constitution had no protections for sodomy, and the states could regulate it as they saw fit. -
Americans With Disabilities Act
The ADA prohibits discrimination, especially in employment, against those with disabilities. It also requires accommodations such as ramps and closed captioning for those with disabilities. This act made it easier for those with disabilities to work and live. -
Motor Voter Act
This act provides things like mail-in voting and other services for voters with disabilities. This makes it easier for those with disabilities to vote and thus participate in democracy. It also came in handy during the Covid-19 pandemic when people couldn't get to the polls safely. -
Lawrence v. Texas
While responding to Lawrence's home for another reason, they caught Lawrence having sex with another man. Both men were charged under Texas's Homosexual Conduct law. The Court ruled that the law violated the Due Process clause of the 14th amendment. This overturned Bowers v. Hardwick. Two consenting adults were free to do what they please in the privacy of their homes. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Same-sex couples from all over the country sued their state governments over their refusal to recognize their marriages. The Court found that the states couldn't deny the couples the right to marry as it violated their 14th amendment rights (Equal Protection and Due Process clauses). The ability to marry gives other legal protections and prohibiting same-sex marriage would deny them those legal protections opposite-sex couples enjoy. -
Affirmative Action
The use of race as a factor in things like college admissions (famously at Harvard) is controversial and still in question. The Court will decide if it is constitutional later this year. Opponents say the precedent set in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke should make affirmative action unconstitutional, but those in favor say it increases diversity and gives minorities more opportunities (it is important to note that this doesn't exlude white American, it includes minorities)
