Civil Rights

Dredd Scott v Sandford

1857

In this supreme court case, Dredd Scott was an African American who was fighting for citizenship. He claimed that they were free because they lived in a territory where slavery wasn't allowed. However, the Supreme Court ruled that African Americans could not expect protection from the government and that they weren't citizens.

13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

The 13th Amendment is one that abolishes slavery. It says that slavery is only allowed if it is from punishment, but any other form is not allowed in the United States. This was passed at the end of the Civil War before southern states returned to the union.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

The 14th amendment focuses on citizenship and granting equal rights to each person. It calls for "equal protection of the law", and addresses the discrimination towards specifically African Americans. This serves as a reconstruction amendment.

15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

This was the amendment that allowed African Americans to vote. The government couldn't discriminate based on color, race, or if they were previously a slave. A huge leap for African Americans during this time when white people were trying to find any way to discriminate towards them.

Jim Crow Era

Period: 1877 to 1964

These were laws created to keep racial segregation. They came into play post civil war after fighting against slavery. "Separate but Equal" rules were not close to being equal. Jim Crow laws were small ways around the constitution to take away any labor, voting, or human rights they could from African Americans.

Plessy V. Ferguson

May 18, 1896

This upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine that was previously set. Plessy was of mixed ethnicity and got arrested for sitting on the wrong rail car. He got arrested to test the law. Whoever arrested him, was found to be in the wrong because they violated the separate but equal doctrine.

Nineteenth Amendment

1920

Up until this amendment was ratified, only men could vote. This was huge for women because they were granted voting rights. Many women protested for their suffrage and now they were able to take a huge leap with this right guaranteed.

Brown V. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This discrimination case was specifically directed to classrooms. It was started after Linda Brown's kid was not allowed to go to an all white school after insisting that all black schools were not equal. After looking into the differences in the schools effected the colored children, the Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated schools were unconstitutional.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

1964

This act prohibited discrimination of race, color, national origin, religion, or gender. This extended from not only voting rights but also in the workplace and in schools. A huge turning point for society and still is in effect (of course) today.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

1965

This was passed by President Lyndon Johnson to help enforce the guaranteed rights from the fifteenth amendment. There were legal barriers created since the amendment was ratified, and this was created in order to ensure the voting rights of African Americans. Now, little state laws couldn't prohibit people of color from voting.

Affirmative Action

Sep 24, 1965

This law applies to those who are typically at a disadvantage based on race, sex, religion, ethnic background, etc. This made opportunities in public spaces to be created more equal for these groups. There are groups and programs that help push for more equality in the workplace.

Reed V. Reed

1971

This case was based on the difference of treatment between male and female. It was a divorced couple in Idaho who were fighting over their son's (who passed away) estate. It was determined that their should not be a preference of male instead of female, and that the unequal treatment was unconstitutional

Equal Rights Amendment

Mar 22, 1972

This amendment gave legal equality of genders. This referred to any legal matter as well, including divorce, employment, property matters, and more. This builds off of women's suffrage to further their rights in other places as well.

Regents of the University of California V. Bakke

1978

Allan Bakke applied for a medical school two times and were denied both times. There were 16 spots reserved for minorities and all of them who were accepted didn't surpass the GPA and fulfilled requirements of Bakke. Bakke met all the requirements and brought this to the Supreme Court about not getting in. The Supreme Court ruled to minimize white exclusion but also helping racial minorities by affirmative action.

Bowers V. Hardwick

1986

A gay couple had sex in the bedroom of their home and were arrested by a Georgia police officer. They took this case to the Supreme Court to determine if it is their right to engage in sexual activities. The Supreme Court ruled that they were not protected by the Constitution.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Jul 26, 1990

Prevents discrimination with any human with a disability. This could range from parking spots to many public areas and situations. Civil rights were designated to disabled people.

Motor Voter Act

1993

This Act focuses on voter registration. It was designed to make it easier to vote for Americans. Now, the process to vote is easier to do and maintain and is the same for every person.

Lawrence V. Texas

Jun 26, 2003

Another case of two men engaging in consensual sexual activity being arrested. However, this case overruled Bowers v. Hardwick. The Supreme Court said that it is unconstitutional for the state of Texas to make a law against gay sexual relationship.

Obergefell V. Hodges

Jun 26, 2015

This case was about the legalization of gay marriage. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled against any state that prohibits gay marriage, but still requiring them to obtain a marriage license. Now, states had to recognize and accept the marriages.