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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Supreme Court decision that African Americans, whether slave or free, were not American citizens and as such could not sue in federal court. -
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as a punishment for a crime. -
14th Amendment
States cannot make or enforce any law which undermines the rights of citizens of the United States. Furthermore, all people born in the U.S. are citizens. -
15th Amendment
Prohibits federal and state governments from denying people the right to vote based on race. -
Poll Taxes
Exemplified the Jim Crow Laws. Used to institute segregation in the South and deny African Americans the right to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Upheld the idea that racial segregation was constitutional under the "separate but equal" doctrine. -
19th Amendment
Granted women the right to vote. -
White Primaries
Primary elections held in the South where only white voters were allowed to participate. -
Equal Rights Amendment
Designed to give equal legal rights to all citizens regardless of sex. It seeks to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public school based on race is unconstitutional. This overruled the "separate but equal," principal set in the Plessy v. Ferguson case. -
Affirmative Action
sets of policies and practices within a government or organization seeking to include particular groups based on their gender, race, sexuality, creed or nationality in areas in which such groups are underrepresented - such as education and employment. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. -
Reed v. Reed
The Supreme Court held that the administrators of estates can not be named in a way that discriminates against sexes. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
The Supreme Court ruled that under the 14th amendment, colleges cannot use race as a basis of admissions. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
The Supreme Court ruled that the sodomy laws are constitutional. Furthermore, the 14th amendment does not prevent states from criminalizing sexual conduct between same-sex couples. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Designed to help people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees. -
Motor Voter Act
Made to make it easier for all citizens to register to vote and to maintain their registration. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Invalidated sodomy laws, making same-sex sexual activity legal in every state. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
The Supreme Court ruled that the right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples under both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
