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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Supreme court case that said descendants of slaves couldn't be citizens of the United States, whether free or nnot. In addition, the court ruled that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional, saying congress could not free slaves. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery during the civil war. Despite all people being free, there were still disparities present in our nation -
14th Amendment
States all people born in the United Stares shall have equal rights and are guaranteed citizenship. Was implemented after the emancipation. -
15th Amendment
Citizens of the United States shall not have there right infringed on the bases of race and gender. this is more commonly known as the equal protection act, and helps put into place things to begin to equalize America -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Louisiana state law, which segregates the races, does not violate equal protection clause. this is known as "separate but equal". the court reasoned that just since African Americans were separated does not imply that they are inferior. they noted, in this instance of railway cars being separated, that their was not a major defense in quality between the rail cars. -
19th Amendment
The 19th amendment made it unconstitutional to deny the right to vote based on sex. In short, it gave women the right to vote. This was a step in the right direction to help give oppressed groups I the US a chance to gain their freedom. -
White Primaries
Law in Texas that prevented African Americans from voting, only allowing white's to vote. This was overturned in Smith v. Allwright, which allowed African Americans to vote -
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme court case that decided that segregated schools are unconstitutional. the supreme court combined multiple school segregation cases to create this one. This case overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson case from 1896. -
Affirmative Action
Policies that favors specific groups over others. these can be race and gender related, and are meant to give an advantage to oppressed groups. -
24th Amendment
Prevents any sort of tax on polls for elections. This makes elections more accessible to all people, especially minorities. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Act preventing discriminations based on race, gender, religion, and nationality. This came during the civil rights movement, which wanted to have equality for minorities. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Eliminates any and all practices that would prevent people from participating in voting. This was also meant to enforce the 15th amendment. -
Reed v. Reed
Court ruled that Idaho law that preferred males over females in estates was uncosntitutional and vilated the 14thamendment. -
Equal Rights Amendment
No states can infringe on someone's rights on the basis of gender. Congress can, in addition, enforce this law in anyway they see fit. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Ruled that racial quotas in college admissions violate the 14th amendment. However, affirmative action programs afre still viable and do not violate the 14th amendment. Bakke was admitted into UC medical school. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
There is no constitutional protections for sodomy. States had the authority to make laws against it. Court feared creating this kind of protection would sent the court down a difficult path. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Prevents discriminations against people with disabilities, including in employment, public areas, transportation, and school. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Case that stated states cannot regulate sexual intimacy or activity, and that in doing so violates the Due Process clause. This case essentially overturns Bowers v. Hardwick. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Supreme Court Case that effectively legalized same sex marriage under the fourteenth amendment. the dissents argument was focused more on the courts overstepping its power, and said it should be left up to the states.