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Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott filed a suit for his freedom after returning to Missouri after living in a free state. He argued that he should be a free man, but the court turned him down and ruled that no enslaved person classified as an American citizen, whether enslaved or free. -
13th Amendment
The Formal Emancipation of Slavery under Lincoln. This amendment prohibited slavery except when viable for punishments. Even though it was not until almost half a year later when some enslaved persons were let go in Texas, Juneteenth. -
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Jim Crow Era
Following after the 13th Amendment, this was an era marked by strict local and state laws prohibiting African Americans from having the same livelihood as their white counterparts. This ranged from limiting Black families to certain neighborhoods to segregating African Americans from using the same restrooms. -
14th Amendment
Defined Citizenship in the United States by granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the nation. Also included clauses such as the equal protection clause that helped protect Americans from all sorts of discrimination. -
15th Amendment
Granted African American men the right to vote. Even with this amendment passed in the South, many states continued to pass laws that were an attempt to prevent African American men from voting. -
Plessy v. Fergueson
SCOTUS ruled that segregation among races was considered fair as long as he facilitates for both were equal. This case focused in on a light-skinned man named Homer Plessy. For almost 60 years, this law was deemed fair. -
19th Amendment
Granted women the right to vote and ruled that the right to vote cannot be taken away because of sex. This only applied to white women. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Following Plessy v. Fergueson, a black father by the name of Oliver Brown was unable to enroll his daughter to the closer all-white school so with the help of the NAACP the case was taken to Scotus. They argued that it violated the Fourteenth Amendment and were denied in lower courts based on Plessy v. Ferguson. However, the court ruled that separate but equal facilities were in fact unequal and violated the Equal Protection Clause. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Passed underneath President Johnson this legislation allowed the federal government to end segregation in public education and public accommodation. Schools which did not integrate were denied grants. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Prohibited stated from giving out literacy tests for African Americans. The federal government also sent troops to protect voters in hostile environments. This overall helped increase registered African American voters. -
Affirmative Action
Intended to establish fair access to employment opportunities to groups that have been known to be discriminated against. -
Reed v. Reed
In Idaho, a law had been established that males be given preference over females when deciding the benefactor of estates. In the case of the Reeds and the death of their adopted son, both wanted to be named the benefactors, but the mother was denied. Court ruled that this law was unconstitutional and in violation of the Equal protection Clause. -
Equal Rights Amendment
Was an amendment designed to guarantee equal rights to all American citizens regardless of sex. It would make men and women equal when it came to divorce, property, etc. Helped ensure these rights would always be protected and could not be infringed upon by Congress. -
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
A white man by the name of Allan Bakke had been rejected by the UC Davis medical school twice. Entering classes reserved a quota of 16/100 for qualified minorities. Despite his qualifications exceeding the minorities, Baker was rejected. His filed as being discriminated for his race. The court ruled that racial quotas violated the civil rights act of 1964, the rigid use of racial quota violated the equal protection clause, and that the use of race as an admission criterion is permissible. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Michael Hardwick was caught having gay sex and was charged with violating a Georgia statute. Hardwick stated that it was unconstitutional and filed a case, receiving writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court said there were no constitutional protections against sodomy. -
Americans With Disabilities Act
A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on a disability. This includes everyday activities such as like employment, transportation, public accommodations, etc. -
Motor Voter Act
Signed by Bill Clinton. and advanced voting rights by providing people with the oppurtunity to register to vote the same time they are getting a license. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Helped overturn Bowers v. Hardwick. Responding to a reported weapons disturbance in a private residence, Houston police entered and saw Lawrence and his partner engaging in sex. Lawrence and Garner were arrested and convicted of deviate sexual intercourse in violation of a Texas statute. -
Obergfell v. Hodges
Groups of same-sex couples sued their states for refusing to allow same-sex marriage and argued that it violated the 14th amendment. The court decided in favor of gay marriage, quoting the due method clause and that the right to marry was safe below this.