Civil Rights Timeline

Dred Scott v. Sanford

1857

In this court case the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court and that Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the U.S. territories. Finally, the Court declared that the rights of slaveowners were constitutionally protected by the Fifth Amendment because slaves were categorized as property.

13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

This amendment was made after the American Civil War and abolished slavery throughout the country except as a punishment for crime.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

This addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws and was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War. By establishing citizenship, it claims former slaves can be citizens.

15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

This established 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. Established after the American Civil War.

White Primaries

1890

White primaries were primary elections held in the Southern United States in which only white voters were permitted to participate.They became an issue in 1890 after the establishment of the 15th amendment to stop African-American voters.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896

This upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality – a doctrine that came to be known as "separate but equal". Created separate schools for blacks and whites until the 20th century.

19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

This 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 sex. This directly correlates with the womens' movement for women to vote at the time.

Brown v. The Board of Education

1954

This case declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. Overturned the previous Plessy v. Ferguson court ruling and schools would be integrated henceforth.

24th Amendment

Jan 23, 1964

This prohibited poll taxes in elections for federal offices. Stopped election offices from taxing anyone from voting thus increasing voting and allowing African-Americans to vote.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

This act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Stopped further discrimination that was causing turmoil to African-Americans, women, etc. from doing what they want or need to do.

Poll Taxes

1965

The definition of a poll tax is a tax levied on every adult, without reference to income or resources and was a major problem as there were poll taxes at election offices stopping people from voting in the 60's.

Affirmative Action

1965

An affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

This outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting. Allowed for further ability to vote for the public as literary tests stopped many.

Reed v. Reed

1971

This was an Equal Protection case in the United States in which the Supreme Court ruled that the administrators of estates cannot be named in a way that discriminates between sexes. This cracks down on discrimination against women.

Equal Rights Amendment

Mar 22, 1972

This was designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex; it seeks to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters. Spawned during the 1920's and was finally put through in the 70's.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

1978

This ruled that a university's use of racial "quotas" in its admissions process is unconstitutional. While this true, affirmative action programs could be constitutional in some circumstances. Allowed for more people of color to go to schools.

Bowers v. Hardwick

1986

The courts found that there are no constitutional protection for acts of sodomy, and that states could outlaw those practices if they wish to. Sodomy is not protected in the constitution so this set a precedent that not all are created equal when it comes to sexuality.

Americans with Disabilities Act

1990

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.This is to ensure that all those with disabilities are created equal.

Lawrence v. Texas

2003

Overturns the previous Bowers v. Hardwick trial in that the court found that the Texas statute making it a crime for two persons of the same sex to engage in certain intimate sexual conduct violates the Due Process Clause. Adults are allowed to engage in private conduct.