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Dred Scott V. Stanford
Dred Scott was a slave who was living in Illinois which was a free state where it was illegal to own a slave. He filed a suit in a Missouri court for his freedom because he claimed that since he lived in a free state it meant that he was also free. The court ruled that anyone who had ancestors that were imported into the US could not become a citizen. This also meant that slaves could not sue a federal court since they weren't citizens. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment ended slavery. However the exceptions were as a punishment for a crime someone committed. It was also one of the first big steps towards ending segregation. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment gave citizenship to everyone born or naturalized in the united states. This also included former slaves. It also provided equal protection under the law. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote. However women could still not vote. There were also a lot of practices that were put into affect to limit their rights to vote. -
Plessy V. Furgeson
This court decision ruled that racial segregation laws didn't violate the US constitution. It allowed people to make "Separate but equal" schools, libraries, etc. However they were not equal and were almost always worse for African Americans. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. It also took 42 years for this amendment to be certified. It was also a big step in women's rights and gave them a lot more power. -
Brown V. Board of Education
This court case ruled that separating kids in public schools based on education is unconstitutional. This over ruled the "Separate but equal" rule from the Plessy V. Ferguson case. This also lead to students being bussed to different schools to help mix students up. -
Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow laws limited a lot of African American's rights. It stopped black and whites from eating together and other activities. This was a big step back for African Americans. -
Civil Rights act of 1964
The civil rights act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in public places illegal. It also made discrimination in employment illegal. Also provided integration of schools. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The voting rights act of 1965 hoped to overcome barriers set to stop African Americans from voting. Also reinforced the 15th Amendment. This allowed African Americans to actually vote. -
Affirmative Action
Was aimed to eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants. This was trying to overcome the present effects of unequal employment opportunities. This achieved more fair participation of women and minorities. -
Reed V. Reed
This case marked the first time that the equal protection clause was put into order. It was used to strike down a law that discriminated against women. Also reinforced women's rights. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This guaranteed legal gender equality for women and men. It ended many state laws that discriminated against women. It also affected things like divorces and property rights for women. -
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
The case made it so universities couldn't use race as a basis for admission. The basis for this decision was that it violated the equal protection clause under the 14th amendment. -
Bowers V. Hardwick
The decision found that the 14th amendment did not prevent a state from criminalizing sexual conduct between same sex individuals. This meant that states could pass laws that prevented gay couples from getting married. Also meant that any couple that weren't of opposite sexes did not get all the rights a "normal" couple would receive. -
Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans With Disabilities Act gave opportunities to the disabled. This gave them employment opportunities. Also gave them other opportunities like purchasing goods and services. -
Motor Voter Act
The Motor Voter Act required states to offer registration opportunities at state motor vehicle agencies. There are reports that the affect states had a 1.82% percentage in voters. It was also only in affect for 22 months or less in the affected states. -
Lawrence V. Texas
Decided that the constitution does protect intimate sexual acts conducted in private between consenting adults. This means that gay people were protected under the constitution. Also invalidated the Sodomy law. -
Oberfell V. Hodges
Required all states to license marriages between same sex couples. Gave gay couples a lot more rights as they could now get married. They were also lawfully married under the states protection.