-
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott v. Sandford was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1857. It held that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not citizens and therefore could not sue in federal court. The decision also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, leading to increased tensions over the issue of slavery and ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the American Civil War. -
Jim Crow Era
The Jim Crow era refers to a period of legalized racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans that lasted from the late 1800s to the mid-1960s. The era was characterized by laws and practices that denied African Americans access to public facilities, education, jobs, and voting rights. It was a dark chapter in American history that highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It marked the end of legal slavery in the United States and was a significant victory for the abolitionist movement. The amendment paved the way for the eventual granting of civil rights to African Americans and other minority groups. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including African Americans who had previously been denied citizenship. It also prohibited states from denying any person the equal protection of the law, and established the basis for civil rights and voting rights protections. The amendment is one of the most important in American history and remains a cornerstone of modern civil rights law. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." It granted African American men the right to vote and was a major victory for the civil rights movement. The amendment helped pave the way for the eventual expansion of voting rights to other marginalized groups, including women and people of color. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1896. The court upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities under the doctrine of "separate but equal." This decision effectively legalized segregation and discrimination against African Americans, and was not overturned until the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. -
Nineteenth Amendment
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote in federal and state elections. It was a significant victory for the women's suffrage movement, which had been fighting for voting rights for women for over 70 years. The amendment helped pave the way for increased political and social equality for women in the United States. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1954. The court declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson. The decision was a major victory for the civil rights movement and helped to pave the way for the desegregation of public schools and other institutions in the United States. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement and marked the beginning of a new era of legal and social equality in the United States. The law had far-reaching consequences and helped to pave the way for further advancements in civil rights and social justice. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to remove legal barriers to voting for African Americans by outlawing discriminatory voting practices and giving the federal government the power to oversee fair voting practices. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement and helped to increase African American voter registration and representation in government. -
Reed v. Reed
Reed v. Reed was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1971 that established the principle of gender equality under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The case challenged an Idaho law that gave preference to men in appointing administrators for estates. The ruling helped to pave the way for further legal and social advancements in gender equality in the United States. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aimed to guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. The amendment was first introduced in 1923 and was not ratified until 1972. Although it ultimately fell short of ratification, the ERA was a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality and paved the way for further legal and social advancements for women in the United States. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke was a 1978 Supreme Court case that ruled the use of racial quotas in university admissions unconstitutional but upheld the consideration of race as one of many factors in the admissions process. The decision had significant implications for affirmative action policies and continues to fuel debate over the role of race in admissions and hiring practices. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Bowers v. Hardwick was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1986 that upheld the constitutionality of Georgia's anti-sodomy law. The decision allowed states to continue criminalizing same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults in private, and had significant implications for the LGBT rights movement. The ruling was eventually overturned by the court in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that aims to ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in a range of areas, including employment, transportation, and public accommodations. The ADA has had a significant impact on improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in the United States. -
Motor Voter Act
The Motor Voter Act is a US law that requires states to offer voter registration opportunities when individuals apply for or renew driver's licenses or other state-issued identification documents. It has increased voter registration rates and access to voting, particularly among minority and low-income populations. -
Affirmative Action
Affirmative action refers to policies and practices aimed at promoting diversity and equal opportunity in education, employment, and other areas. The policies typically involve preferential treatment or consideration for individuals from historically disadvantaged groups, such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The use of affirmative action policies has been highly controversial and continues to be debated in the United States. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Lawrence v. Texas was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 2003 that struck down laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity. The decision had significant implications for the LGBT rights movement and overturned a previous Supreme Court ruling in Bowers v. Hardwick. The case was widely celebrated as a victory for gay rights and helped pave the way for further legal and social advancements for the LGBT community in the United States. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Obergefell v. Hodges was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 2015 that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The decision had significant implications for the LGBT rights movement and marked a major milestone in the struggle for marriage equality in the United States. The ruling recognized the fundamental right to marry for same-sex couples, and helped pave the way for further legal and social advancements for the LGBT community.