-
Dred Scott v. Sandford
In the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, Scott was living in non-slavery states and was a free man. When he returned to Missouri, where slavery was allowed, he went to court to argue his freedom. In a 7-2 decision, the supreme court ruled in favor of Sanford stating that Americans of African descent, slave or not, were not citizens and could be considered property rather than people. The court also through into the decision that congress doesn't have the power to ban slavery in US territories. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery. It was a result of the civil war and was ratified in 1865. This changed the way that people acted, and how they would think towards other people and even children's education. This was a major step that not everyone approved, but it is still around today. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment to the United States Constitution was what gave citizenship and granted equal and civil rights to emancipated African Americans after the civil war, and to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This basically prevented the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from getting taken away from any citizen, regardless of color. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment was ratified in 1870 and was the last amendment of the " Reconstruction Amendments." This amendment allowed anyone to vote regardless of their race, color, or previous status (slave or not). It also prohibited states from denying these people's right to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Separate but equal is what I think of when I hear of this case. On a train, there were separated cars and to challenge this, plessy sat in an all-white car. He was arrested and he took the case to the supreme court who decided that under the constituion, blacks and whites were separate but equal, a term which will backfire later. -
Jim Crow Era (1877-1965)
There isn't really an exact date to this since it is considered an era. An era that began around 1877 and the laws started to diminish in 1965. This was a time full of discrimination and segregation between white people and African Americans. For the most part, it was state and local laws being passed to keep segregation alive. -
Nineteenth Amendment
At this time there was plenty of segregation in America, but a group of people who still couldn't vote were women. This amendment allowed women to finally participate and vote in America's elections. Technically it prohibits the United States and its states to prevent people to vote based on sex (gender). -
Brown v. Board of Education
At this time, schools were segregated, and African Americans believed this violated the 14th amendment and deserve to go to a white school. They took it to court and the court decided that separated schools were legal, as long as the schools were equal in a quality sense. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The civil rights act of 1964 was the first piece of legislature in America that would cover civil rights. It prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, and even national origin. It worked to give everyone equal public access, employment opportunities, the right to vote, and desegregated schools. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
At this time the 15th amendment attempted to make voting available to everyone, but states and local law found loopholes and made rules to continue to prevent African Americans from voting. Things such as literacy tests were made and other devices/techniques that mostly southern states used to keep voting white. This act banned literacy tests and shut down other legal barriers that prevented colored voting. -
Affirmative Action
The overall purpose of this action was to provide better opportunities for minorities or underrepresented people. These opportunities were mainly focused on the workplace and education. It targeted common historically low representation in leadership, professional and academic spots. -
Reed v. Reed
Sally and Cecil Reed both wanted to become administrators for their late son's estate. Cecil was given priority simply because he was a man. Sally took it to court and all to the Supreme Court where they decided that discrimination against women and preference for males is unconstitutional. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This idea was first proposed by the National Women's Political party. It is safe to say the idea went far and succeeded. Now we have this amendment which, prohibits any discrimination to any gender and gives legal equality to both men and women. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
This one I can see being applied today. A white male student had better grades and a stronger application than a black male, and the white male was denied twice, He thought it violated the 14th and he took it to court. There they decided a school can take race into consideration but not to meet some diversity quota. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
This one leans more towards homosexuality rather than race or gender. A man was caught having gay relations and Georgia arrested him on anti-sodomy laws. He took it to court and the court rules that the constitution provided zero protection to him, and it was up to the states to decide what they would and wouldn't allow when it came to homosexuality. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
. This civil act law prevents people from discriminating against people with disabilities in any public matter like school, transportation, employment, or any other aspect. It ensures that people with disabilities are treated equally and that they will be provided with the same opportunities as everyone else. -
Motor Voter Act
This act was made to increase the opportunities of voter registration across America. It required states to allow voter registration by mail and at state offices. In short, it made applying to vote easier, leading to more voters across the US. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Two gay men were caught having sexual relations and were charged under a Texas law prohibiting that act. They took it to court and the court ruled the Texas law disregarded the due process clause. This clause provides them with their liberty and the court decided the Texas law was unconstitutional. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
A gay couple were married but it wasn't recognized in the state of Ohio, and they wanted it to be. They fought and fought and went to court where they decided that the same sex marriage was to be recognized as a legit and legal marriage. According to the due process clause, the freedom to marry is allowed and now it is regardless of gender.