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Dred Scott VS Sandford
In the Dred Scott Vs Sandford decision, the supreme court ruled that African Americans were not American citizens and that congress lacked the power to ban slavery in United states territories. Due to the Missouri compromise violating the fifth amendment, since African Americans were viewed as property at the time. This case is significant in the civil rights movement, because it is one of the first well known supreme court cases about African Americans fighting back. -
Thirteenth Amendment
The thirteenth amendment abolished slavery in the United States, it was one event that happened during the aftermath of the Civil War. It said slavery should only exist in case of "a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." This amendment is important because it changed the morals of the United State forever and it granted freedom to everyone in the nation. -
Fourteenth Amendment
The fourteenth amendment was added to the constitution as one of the reconstruction amendments, after the civil war. It granted citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to all citizens of the United States. It is important because it helped become the basis of many supreme court cases and it is still a widely popular amendment to this day. -
Fifteenth Amendment
The fifteenth amendment states that “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.” This amendment gave African American Men the right to vote. This amendment is important because it helped give people a say in their country and it would be used it many acts and supreme court cases, in the future. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
In Plessy V. Ferguson, Homer Plessy sat in a whites only train car- in Louisiana where they had a separate car act. When the railroad asked Plessy to leave the car, he refused and was arrested.The case ruled the separate but equal doctrine. This case is important because it set path for future supreme court cases such as Brown V. Board of Education. -
White Primaries
The White Primaries was a legal way that the southern states excluded African Americans from voting in primary elections.This is because the states were controlled by the democratic party and at the time excluded African Americans. There were several court cases that challenged white primaries. White primaries are important to the civil rights movement, because it was only one of the ways that Americans were trying to excludes others and take away their rights. -
Nineteenth Amendment
The Nineteenth Amendment to the constitution gives all American women the right to vote.This happened after many suffrage marches and movements. States slowly allowed women to vote, until the nineteenth amendment was ratified. This amendment is important because it gave women freedom to have a say in what happens in their country, etc. -
Brown V. Board of Education
Brown V. Board of Education is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme court that ruled segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, even if they are equal. Even after this supreme court case, it took several years for schools to start desegregating. The decision fueled the civil rights movement for years after. -
Poll Taxes
Poll Taxes started in the 1890s to keep African Americans from voting, it was essentially a voting fee. People would have to pay before they could cast a ballot. Lower class white Americans had a grandfather clause that exempted them from paying, if they had an ancestor who could vote/voted. The Twenty fourth amendment prohibited poll taxes. -
Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is a policy where a person's color, race, sex, religion, or origin are taken into account to increase opportunities to underrepresented parts of society. Affirmative action became popular during the Kennedy administration. Many say it is important to create racial and gender diversity in education and employment. -
Twenty-Fourth Amendment
The Twenty Fourth Amendment abolished poll taxes for federal elections in the United States. Poll taxes started in the late 18th century, so it took several years until they were abolished. The Twenty Fourth Amendment was a key part to the civil rights movement because it helped get rid of freedom restriction to African Americans. -
Civil Rights act of 1964
The Civil Rights act of 1964 ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination because of someones, origin, race, or sex. It prevented discrimination in schools, employment, and public accommodations. It is considered one of the most important legislative moments in the civil rights movement. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory voting practices in the southern states after the civil war. Some examples are literacy tests, poll taxes, and other restrictions.The act was signed in by Lyndon B. Johnson. This law had a immediate impact, millions of African Americans went to register to vote. -
Reed v. Reed
In Reed v. Reed, the Supreme Court ruled that estate administrators can not be named in a way that discriminates between sexes. The decision came after Idaho's Probate Code that said "males must be preferred to females." This Supreme Court decision is important because it helped prevent discrimination against women, etc. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the constitution that guaranteed equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of their sex. It failed to receive ratification from all the states, it is not protected from the constitution. The amendment helps show the widespread importance of the women suffrage movement. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Allan Bakke applied to the University of California several times, when he was rejected he claimed that he excluded solely on the basis of race. The court somehow managed to minimize white opposition for equity while helping racial minorities through affirmative action. -
Bowers V. Hardwick
In Bowers V. Hardwick the supreme court ruling was that there is no constitutional right to engage in consensual homosexual sodomy. The decision was 5-4, because they were not considered to be protected by the due process clause. This case is important because it was a big legal blow to the LGBTQ+ Community and it was a set back for the Civil Right Movement. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations. This act is very important because it supports inclusion and helps push equality of those who are disabled. -
Lawrence V. Texas
Lawrence V. Texas was a Supreme court case with the ruling that a Texas state law criminalizing intimate sexual conduct between consensual same sex couples was unconstitutional. This case made same sex activities legal in every state of America. -
Obergefell V. Hodges
In Obergefell V. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled that the fourteenth amendment, specifically the due process clause and the equal protection clause requires both marriage licensing and recognition for same sex couples. It was a five to four decision. This supreme court case is important because it gave more freedom and power to the LGBTQ+ community and helped protect them legally.
