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Dred Scott
Scott went to trial in attempt to sue for wrongful enslaved considering both states were free states. However, the court ruled against them during the first trial and they were granted retrial. Later on they went back to trial and won their freedom however Irene appealed the cases making Dred Scott and his family slaves again. after a long battle they gain back their rights. This case became a major stepping stone in the civil rights movements. this case went all the way to the supreme court. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th amendment states “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Meaning the 13th amendment abolishes slavery except when it is applied as a punishment to crime. Although segregation and hate were still major factors in the civil rights movement the 13th amendment is one of the most important milestones. -
The 14th Amendment
the 14th amendment states "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This amendment defines the national citizenship and forbids the states to restrict rights of citizens. -
The 15th Amendment
the 15th amendment states “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Simplifying down to ensuring that all men despite color of their skin were allowed to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
In this case, Plessy, a man from a black background with fair skin was jailed for sitting on a segregated p“whites only” railroad car for being of African American descent. This case officiates the legality of “separate but equal” facilities. This case rules segregation on “equal” standards to be constitutional. -
The 19th Ammendment
The nineteenth amendment states that the right of citizens to vote shall not be dined or abridged by the united states or any state on account of state. After the nineteenth amendment demon of all races were allowed to participate in elections as long as they exceed the age of 18. -
White Primaries
This was a method used by democrats to disenfranchise minority voters including African Americans. These were elections held in the south that only white voters were permitted to vote. The idea was to prohibit nonwhites from joining the democratic party or participating in primary elections. In 1944 a case called smith v. allwright put an end to this form of disenfranchisement. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Brown v. Board of Education case that was resolved in the Supreme Court in 1954, prohibits laws enforcing segregation in public schools. The idea of “separate but equal” facilities is outlawed and racial segregation is made illegal. -
Affirmative Action
The Affirmative Action Law, signed by John F. Kennedy in 1961, is a policy used that was stated to create equal opportunities for previously discriminated minorities. This law gives the right to hire and advance minorities, improve education, and reduce discrimination in work and school environments -
The 24th Amendment
The 24th amendment states “The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.” Meaning any tax placed on voting or any unreasonable test such as resigning the preamble can no longer play a role in who can and cannot vote. -
The Civil Rights Act
The civil rights act of 1964 ended segregation. After being passes public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and or national origin were no longer allowed. This act also had an effect on schools and even the term separates but equal. Eventually abolishing majority of Americas segregation. -
Poll Taxes
A poll tax was a tax placed on those who wanted to vote. This was placed in efforts to prevent those of color from voting. This was one of many attempt to stop those from expressing their 15th amendment rights. Although other tactics were also used to prevent people from voting once the pole tax was eliminated from elections the percentage of those of color voting slowly starts to rise. Poll taxes were eventually ruled out in 1964. -
The Voting Rights Act
The voting rights act of 1965 was intended to destroy barriers put in place to prevent those of color from voting in elections of all kinds. Even though the 15th amendment claimed they could vote many tried their best to prevent those from voting by using scare tactics and even taxing those who showed up to poll booths. -
Reed v. Reed
In 1971, this was the first case to rule that sex discrimination violates the fourteenth amendment. In this case, a man was chosen to administrate an estate over a woman equally qualified. This ruled that the equal protection clause applies to gender as well. -
Regents of the University of California v.Bakke
In this case Bakke applied to medical school two years in a row both times him admission was rejected due to the color of his skin. the supreme court ruled that the universities use of racial quotas in the admission process was unconstitutional. However, schools may use affirmative action to accept more minority applicants in some circumstances. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The equal rights amendment was a proposed amendment to the united states intended to guarantee equal legal rights to all Americans regardless to sex. In attempt to end legal distinctions between men and women. For example, matters such as divorce, property, and employment would fall under this amendment putting an end to certain disputes. Currently 15 states have not ratified the amendment. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
This case took place in 1986, and involved the topic of homosexual intercourse. While conducting a search, deputy saw Hardwick engaging in consensual sodomy in his own home, and arrests him. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the constitution does not protect this and Bowers won the case. -
American Disabillities Act
Passed in 1990 by US Congress, the Americans with disabilities act prohibits discrimination based on disability in workplaces, schools, transportation, and any public spaces. It also notes that it is illegal to discriminate on physical or mental impairments for basic activities. -
Lawrence v. Texas
This case refutes the ruling of the Bowers v. Hardwick case by claiming it to be a violation of privacy. In the 2003 Lawrence v. Texas case, the Supreme Court ruled that the laws against homosexual intercourse were unconstitutional. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
The case Obergefell v. Hodge is a Supreme Court case that took place in 2015. In this case, prohibiting same sex marriage is argued to be a violation of the constitution. This case ultimately legalizes all same sex marriages in the United States.
