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13th Amendment
Slavery in the United States is abolished as well as involuntary servitude unless as a punishment for a crime. It was the first Amendment passed after the American Civil War and sparked the beginning of the implementation of the Civil Rights movement. Although this abolished slavery, Black Codes, white supremacy violence, and other forms of dicrimination became a problem. -
14th Amendment
Citizenship for those born in the United States no matter what race was reaffirmed. Likewise, it declared that no one could take away the rights of these people because they are citizens. A well known portion of this amendment states "No person was allowed to be deprived of life, liberty,or property without due process of law" meaning that every citizen is entitled to fair judicial treatment. Lastly, this amendment garuntees protection under the law. -
15th Amendment
This amendment gave African American men the right to vote. However, because of literacy tests and other requirements made by southern states, this law didnt come into effect until almost a century later. These tests made it almost impossible for African Americans to be able to vote. -
Jim Crow
A group of laws that demanded racial segregation in the southern states following the Reconstruction period. They made it the law that every public place be segregated so that there were places for the whites and places for the colored. Among these places of spearation were hospitals, schools, and even circuses. -
19th Amendment
This Amendment allowed for women to begin to vote in elections. In previous years, women were not allowed to vote and the change allowed for a wider spectrum of votes and audiences to speak their voice in government. -
Korematsu v. United States
During World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government allowed the exclusion of Japanese Americans. This controversial action was taken to court and they ruled in favor of the U.S. -
Sweatt v. Painter
In this court case, a black young man applied to university of Texas Law School and was immediately rejected due to the fact of his skin color. The court agreed that this was unconstitutional and allowed him to attend school there. This opened the door to later education and race trials. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This court case began when black and white children tried go to school together. Acts of bullying and violence occurred when the first group of black children attempted to enter the school and, due to the court case, they were allowed protection when entering. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Just four days before the boycott was the dya that Rose Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man. This boycott then began on December 5th and continued for 381 days. During this time, African Americans would refuse to ride the buses in Montgomery. The Supreme Court finally integrated the buses to end the boycott. -
Affirmative Action
This term is associated with reaching out to minority groups that have experienced exclusion from society. It means that they will be treated equally in a work and school environment without regards to gender or race. -
Poll Taxes
Between 1889 and 1910 poll taxes were enforced for both whites and blacks in the U.S. But the 24th Amendment abolished charging people to vote which allowed anyone to go and exercise their right to vote without having to pay a fee. Now more than just wealthy white men could vote. -
24th Amendment
This Amendment got rid of the poll tax which required for every voter to pay a fee. The idea was to prevent African Americans from voting because many did not have the money to spend on a poll tax. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act ended all discrimination of citizens based on religion, race, gender, and national origin. It ended voting restrictions and racial segregation in school. This bill ended all discrimination in public places. -
Voting Rights
Due to the nonviolent protest for the Civil Rights movement and the deaths of the protestors many people began to consider the rights of all U.S. citizens. When police officers began beating peaceful marchers in Alabama, the President at the time, Johnson, immediately called for a law for voting rights. The law was made constitutional on August 6, 1965. This made it possible for all Black Americans to vote without having to take a literacy test. It didn’t say that polls could not be enacted, but -
Literacy Tests
A literacy test was required to be taken for Black Americans in order to vote. The test was considered very difficult and the test taker could only have 10 minutes to get every answer correct. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 abolished this law so that everyone could vote without having to take the test. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This amendment allowed for equal treatment of any race or gender. The U.S. was having problems with unfair treatment towards black and female Americans. Many protestors had begun to stand up for their rights which brought attention to the subject of fair treatment of all citizens. -
Robert Kennedy Speech in Indianapolis upon death of MLK
As Robert Kennedy was campaining for the 1968 Democratic Presidential Nomination, he came to Indiana to give speeches at the University of Notre Dame as well as Ball State University. As he headed next toward Indianapolis, he learned of King's assasination. At a rally in Indianapolis that he had planned on attending, instead of his campaign speech, he gave a speech about peace while informing the crowd of MLK's assasination. -
Reed v. Reed
When a son passed away, he left is estate up to his parents who happened to be separated. The father got the estate due to the fact that he is a man, so the mother questioned this in court and they agreed that it was unconstitutional. The court decided that gender should play no role when deciding inheritance. -
Regents of the University of California v, Bakke
A man was not accepted into the University of California even though his test scores and grades were able the average student’s scores. The school would only allowed 16 out of the 100 medical students to be a minority race. When he applied all of the spots had been filled, but the prospective student took it to court and it was decided that he would be accepted into the school. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This court case brought up the controversial issue that black and white Americans had different areas to go in public whether it was the bathroom, water fountain, bus seat, or restaurant. After the ruling of the case, it was decided that each race should still have their own area, but the areas should be of equal quality and value. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
A Georgia police officer found two men having sexual intercourse and pressed charges. The court reviewed the charges and didn’t find it constitutional, but allowed the states to decide whether or not is was legal. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This Act allowed for those who are disabled to not be denied employment. It also ensures that those who are lacking in mobility are able to go into buildings and up ramps without a problem. It was realized that they have a right to go where they want to go and restrictions due to the lack of equipment should be taken care of to allow them to travel where they please. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Two men were found having sexual intercourse with each other in the privacy of their home and were taken to court. The court agreed that because it was consensual and in private that it was constitutional. -
Fisher v. Texas
The University of Texas didn’t admit a Caucasian female into their program because they wanted more diversity. The prospective student took it to court and the court decided in favor of Fisher, the student. -
U..S. v. Winsdor
Marriage is defined as a man and a woman, but gay couples want to get married. They go to court and they agreed that it is unconstitutional.
