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Fugitive Slave Act of 1793
The Fugitive Slave Clause of the U.S. Constitution allowed slaveholders to recover any lost (or escaped) slaves. -
Slave Trade Act of 1794
This was the first of several attempts to ban slave importing in the U.S. This law limited American involvement in human cargo trade. -
Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves
This federal law prohibited any new slaves from being imported into the United States. It was not always enforced well. -
13th Amendment Adopted
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution states slavery in the U.S. NOT okay. However, it does not define punishment. -
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Reconstruction Amendments
The Reconstruction Amendments are the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. -
14th Amendment Adopted
The 14th Amendment the the U.S. Constitution includes the Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection Clauses. -
15th Amendment Adopted
The 15th Amendment the the United States Constitution allows anyone to vote -- prohibiting denial based upon "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." -
Lodge Bill (Not Passed)
This was the first attempt at equal voting policies. This bill was not passed. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case argued it was NOT okay for people to be seperated based upon color for any type of reason. This case, however, was turned down Justice Brown stated, "We consider the underlying fallacy of the plaintiff's argument to consist in the assumption that the enforced separation of the two races stamps the colored race with a badge of inferiority. If this be so, it is not by reason of anything found in the act, but solely because the colored race chooses to put that construction upon it." -
19th Amendment Adopted
This amendment allowed any citizen the right to vote, regardless of sex. -
Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
Proposed by Respresentative Homer P. Snyder, this act grants full citizenship to Native Americans in the United States. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark decision declared it unconstitutional for black and white students to be seperated in school. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
This act was the first of its kind enacted by Congress in the United States since Reconstruction following the American Civil War. It primarily allowed voting. -
Civil Rights Act of 1960
This law created inspection of local voter registration and offered fines for anyone who obstructed another citizen's action to vote. -
24th Amendment Adopted
This amendment ensures no poll tax (or similar) before being allowed to vote. Without the amendment, the U.S. was in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act officially ended segregation as well as many other forms of discrimination and racism. Click here for more info. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act outlawed restrictive voting practices based on race. -
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Voting Rights Acts of 1965, 1970, 1975, 1982
During this time, the Voting Rights Act was renewed three times. These renewals included amendments. -
Civil Rights Act of 1968
This act (aka: Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968) provided equal oppertunities housing regardless of race, creed, or national origin. -
Voting Rights Act of 1970
This act disallowed discrimination based upon literacy. This type of discrimination was linked to racist activities. -
26th Amendment Adopted
This amendment allows those 18 and older to vote. -
Voting Rights Act of 1975
This act requires voting materials to be listed in minority's language of choice. -
Voting Rights Act of 1982
This was the most significant act of its group because it made Section 2 of the VRA permanent. This section bans denial of any kind of voting practice based on race.
