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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Supreme Court case in which Dred Scott sued for his freedom, arguing that he was a free man because he was a resident of a free territory. The Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 decision that Dred Scott, as well as other black people, could not be American citizens and thus could not sue in court. -
13th Amendment
An amendment to the Constitution that abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, barring its use as punishment for a crime. It was ratified immediately following the Civil War. -
14th Amendment
An amendment to the Constitution that provides citizenship and equal protection under the law to every man in the United States. It was ratified immediately following the Civil War. -
15th Amendment
An amendment to the Constitution that prohibits federal and state governments from denying a citizen's right to vote based on race or servitude. It was ratified immediately after the Civil War. -
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Poll Taxes
A method of preventing African Americans from voting in Southern states. Eligible voters were required to pay a fee before casting a ballot. -
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White Primaries
Primary elections held in the Southern states in which only white voters were allowed to participate. Minority voters were prevented from participating in any Democratic party primary elections. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Supreme Court case in which Homer Plessy attempted to challenge the Separate Car Act in Louisiana, which required separate railway cars for blacks and whites. The Supreme Court ruled in a 7-1 decision that the state law was constitutional and segregation was legal, as long as the facilities were equal. -
19th Amendment
An amendment to the Constitution that prohibits federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on sex, guaranteeing women's suffrage. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court case in which African American students that were denied admittance to public schools argued that segregation violated the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that separate but equal facilities are inherently unequal and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. -
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Affirmative Action
Policies and practices intended to include groups based on gender, race, sexuality, creed, or nationality when they are underrepresented. It was introduced in an executive order by JFK, and has since been struck down by various states. -
24th Amendment
An amendment to the Constitution that prohibits federal and state governments from abridging the right to vote in federal elections through the use of a poll tax. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
A law that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and ethnicity. It prohibits unequal voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and other public facilities, and employment discrimination. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
A law that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Its purpose was to secure the right to vote for racial minorities throughout the nation. -
Reed v. Reed
Supreme Court case in which Sally Reed argued that an Idaho law stating that "males must be preferred to females" in appointing administrators of estates was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the law violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Supreme Court case in which Allan Bakke argued that the University of California's affirmative action policy violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling was highly fractured, as the justices issued six different opinions. However, UC's affirmative action program was still struck down and Bakke was admitted. -
Equal Rights Amendment
A proposed amendment to the Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all citizens regardless of sex. It was created to end distinction between men and women in matters such as divorce, property, and employment. However, opposition from conservative women led it to not be passed. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Supreme Court case in which Michael Hardwick challenged a Georgia statute that criminalized sodomy. The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that there was no constitutional protection for acts of sodomy, and states could outlaw them. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
A law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations. -
Motor Voter Act
A law designed to advance voting rights by requiring state governments to offer simplified voter registration processes for eligible citizens. It also required the USPS to mail election materials as if states are nonprofits. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Supreme Court case in which John Lawrence argued that Texas's statute that forbade two people of the same sex from engaging in sexual conduct violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 opinion that the statute violated the Due Process Clause. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Supreme Court case in which various same-sex couples challenged the constitutionality of various states' bans on same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Due Process Clause guarantees the right to marry as a protected liberty, and that it applies to same-sex couples.