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Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow laws were laws that enforced racial segregation. Black and white children weren't allowed to attend the same schools. There were even laws against who could use what drinking fountains in public. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
In 1846, Dred Scott sued for his freedom due to living in a free territory where slavery was prohibited. When Scott lost his case, he filed a new federal suit which reached the supreme court. The majority opinion of the court stated that they had no authority to ban slavery from a federal territory. -
13th Amendment
This abolished slavery and involuntary servitude unless it was used as punishment. It was approved by President Abraham Lincoln and 18 of the necessary 27 states. This led to the assassination of Lincoln. -
14th Amendment
This granted citizenship to any person born or naturalized in the states. Including "equal protection under the laws" for everyone, including formerly enslaved people. The government was authorized to punish states that abridged a citizens' right to vote. -
15th Amendment
This granted African American men the right to vote. This would only be one more step in the struggle for equality for African Americans. It was a big step regardless. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Homer Plessy refused to sit in a car for black people in 1892. After refusing, he was arrested and jailed. The Supreme Court ruled that a law that “implies merely a legal distinction” between white people and black people was not unconstitutional. -
19th Amendment
Granted women the right to vote. This victory took ages of agitation and protest. But the amendment only really gave white women the right to vote. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This is a constitutional amendment granting legal gender equality for men and women. It seeks for the end of legal distinctions between men and women. Things regarding divorce, property, employment, etc. -
Brown v. Board of Education
African American students were denied certain public schools because of laws allowing segregation between schools. They argued that this violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled that "separate but equal" facilities also violated the Equal Protection Clause. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This would prohibit discrimination against people of a different race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It would also strengthen the enforcement of voting rights and desegregation in schools. This act continues to resonate in America. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Used to overcome legal barriers preventing African American men the right to vote. Many people were attacked with nightsticks, teargas, and whips while peaceful marching for voting rights prior to this. Every thing was on national television. -
Reed v. Reed
The Idaho probate code has a mandatory provision that gives preference to males over females. This violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The choice could not be lawfully mandated under the sole basis of sex. -
Affirmative Action
Employers must take affirmative action to recruit and advance qualified minorities, women, people with disabilities, and covered veterans. This includes training programs, outreach efforts, and other positive steps. Employers with these programs are required to implement them and update them anually. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Bakke was a white male who's application got rejected on the basis of race. The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment was violated in this case. The Court ruled that excluding candidates based on their race alone is racial discrimination. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
After performing consensual homosexual sodomy with another adult male in his own home, Hardwick was charged with violating the Georgia statute criminalizing sodomy. The Court finally remanded that the Georgia statute violated respondent's fundamental rights. The Constitution does not have a fundamental right upon homosexuals to engage in sodomy. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in many areas. Including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government’ programs and services. This protects the rights of employees and job seekers. -
Motor Voter Act
This sets forth certain voter registration requirements with respect to elections for federal office. States were required to offer voter registration opportunities at state motor vehicle agencies. States are to implement procedures to maintain accurate and current voter registration lists. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Lawrence and his sexual partner were arrested after engaging in a private, sexual act. They were convicted of violating the Texas statute against same sex intercourse. The State Court of Appeals said that the statute was no unconstitutional. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Groups of same-sex couples challenged the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans in some sates. Each case argued that the states' statutes violated the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. The U.S. Court of Appeals stated that the refusal to recognize same-sex couples did not violate the 14th Amendment.