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Dred Scott v. Sanford
The case was in argument whether Dred Scott is a free man if his slave owner took him as a slave to a free state. The court ruled that a negro whose ancestors where brought to the US by boat or other transportation were not to be considered american citizens. Therefore, they did not have the right to sue in a federal court. -
13th Amendment
This amendment had the purpose of abolishing slavery in the United States. This amendment was a huge point in Lincoln's presidency as he aimed to change the law to end slavery. Although this new law was not welcome or used as directed in the southern states, the law would be used for heavily in future events. -
14th Amendment
This amendment allowed African Americans, born in the US, that were previously emancipated, to have legal and civil rights along with being granted citizenship. This allowed more African Americans to be free and not enslaved by the south. -
15th Amendment
This amendment allowed African American men the right to vote. This not only opened for more rights for African Americans, it also began to instill in Americans minds that the world is changing and you could either be for it or against it. Many voter registration buildings still made it extremely difficult for African Americans to register. For example, they were asked to do difficult literacy tests. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case was the first major inquiry into the meaning of the 14th amendment's equal protection clause. Plessy v ferguson advanced the controversial "separate but equal" idea. The court ruled that it was okay to segregate by having separate spaces, as long as they were equal. -
Nineteenth Amendment
This amendment explained that the right of citizens of the United States to vote is not to be denied or made difficult by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress also holds the power to enforce this by appropriate legislation. This is significant as women were finally allowed to vote. This would also boot the women's right movement. -
White Primaries
This was a time when Texas would deny voting right to African Americans during election primaries. They created state laws denying African Americans the right to vote. -
Brown v Board of Education
The Supreme Court case where justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. The case was significant because it made it clear to the people that "separate but equal" was not right. -
Affirmative Action
A policy where an individual's color, race, sex, religion, or national origin are taken into account to increase opportunities provided to an underrepresented part of society. -
24th Amendment
This amendment prohibited poll tax that was originally set by many states. The poll tax would also lesson the African American voters by unfair pay. -
Poll Taxes
This was a tax that was attached to a vote for federal elections. People that wanted to vote had to pay the poll tax.This would again limit the people able to vote for federal office holders. This would be stopped after the 24th amendment. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act was a major point for civil rights and liberties. The act ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It is considered one of the most impactful and powerful legislative achievements of the civil rights movement. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote. This was another major piece of the civil rights movement as the president had finally addressed the racial problems the United States presented. -
Reed v Reed
Idaho code specified that "males must be preferred to females" in appointing administrators of estates. An Idaho lawyer argues that the 14th amendment states that you cannot discriminate based off of the sex of an individual. This was the first case where the Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment prohibited differential treatment based off of gender. -
Equal Rights Amendmendment
This amendment was proposed to the U.S Constitution and it was designed to guarantee equal rights despite sex of the individual. This amendment serves to eliminate any illegal distinctions between men and women whether it be in a divorce, property, or employment, etc. -
Regents of the University of California Bakke
The Supreme Court ruled that a university's use of racial "quotas" in its admission was unconstitutional. A school's use of its "affirmative action" to accept more minority applicants was constitutional in some situations. -
Bowers v Hardwick
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not protect the right of gay adults to engage in private consensual sodomy. -
Americans w Disabilities Act
The ADA is a civil rights law that ensures that there is no discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life including: jobs, schools, transportation, and all places open to the general public. This Act was significant because it allowed equal opportunity. -
Lawrence v Texas
Landmark decision of the Supreme Court where the court ruled that American laws prohibiting private homosexual activity between consenting adults are unconstitutional. -
Obergefell v Hodges
The state bans on same-sex marriage and on recognizing same-sex marriages was unconstitutional. They ruled it is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
