-
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri, but resided in Illinois, a free state. When he returned to Missouri, he claimed that he was free because of his Illinois residence. Since negros weren't considered citizens of the United States, the court ruled that Scott had no right to sue in a federal court, and the case was dismissed. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th amendment was passed after the Emancipation Proclamation, and it stated "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." This was important because it ended slavery to an extent. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment was passed as a part of the Emancipation Proclamation, and it states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States." This is important because for the first time in American history, black people are considered citizens. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment is the last amendment passed as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation, and it 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." Black people couldn't be denied the right to vote for the first time in American history. Women were still not allowed to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy was a man who was 7/8ths white, but by Louisian law, was considered black. He was on a whites only rail car, and he was asked to leave his seat. He refused, and he was arrested. Plessy sued, saying that the Separate Car Act was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that this type of segregation was constitutional. This is important because it showed that the government supported segregation. -
Nineteenth Amendment
The Nineteenth amendment was part of a civil rights movement that involved equality for women. It 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 sex." Susan B. Anthony played a pivotal role in the movement for women's suffrage. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This was another Supreme Court case that decided that government's stance on segregation. In multiple states, blacks were denied access to public schools because of their race. This and Plessy v. Ferguson defined the "Separate but equal" doctrine. The Supreme Court ruled that as long as whites and blacks have equal resources, they are allowed to segregate. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 disallows discrimination or segregation based on race, color, religion, sex, or nationality. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Civil Rights Protests helped greatly in the passing of this act. This is the first time where America was forced to integrate different races together -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The voting rights act outlawed the practices that prevented people of color from voting in southern states, such as burning crossed near voting booths and making them pass a literacy test. This act was passed in order to help enforce the 15th amendment. This act resulted in a higher turnout of black voters every year. -
Reed v. Reed
The Idaho Probate code stated that males must be preferred to females when appointing administers of estates. Sally Reed sued based on this code, because Cecil Reed was named administer of the house over her. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that favoring men over women is unconstitutional, which is significant for women's rights. -
Title IX
Title IX is also part of the civil rights movement for women. It involves allowing women to equally participate in activities, such as athletics and clubs. It states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." As a result, there's been a drastic increase in women's athletics, and general participation. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
This case is testing the constitutionality of Affirmative Action, which favors people of color in college admissions. Bakke, a 35 year old white man, applied to UC twice, and got denied both times, despite being more qualified than a lot of people there. UC let in 16 people of color in order to include more diversity. Bakke sued UC for this. The Supreme Court agreed there should be action taken, but they couldn't reach a majority opinion -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, and it is similar to many other acts of this kind. The act prohibits discrimination based on disabilities, whether it be a physical or mental impairment. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
This case questions the constitutionality of gay marriage. The Supreme Court ruled that all people of all orientations have the right to marry. But they are obligated to the same rules as any other marriage, which means they have to get a license to marry before they can do so.
