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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott v. Sandford was a slave in Missouri that resided in Illinois, a free state. He went to court trying to claim his freedom but the court said because his ancestors were slaves, he couldn't be a citizen. Because he wasn't a citizen he couldn't sue. The court also ruled Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment was ratified to abolish slavery. Lincoln in the Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves in confederate states free. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment granted citizenship and equal rights to anyone born in America. In past time, African Americans weren't considered citizens, but with the 14th amendment, this included slaves freed in the Civil War. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment gave African Americans the right to vote. This is significant because it shows progression in African American civil rights. Although, this is progression and this amendment let African Americans vote, voting booths still made it hard for African Americans to vote with literacy tests. -
Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow was a term for Africans Americans .Jim Crow Era was an era were laws enforced racial segregation. This era also supported white supremacy and racism. These laws segregated schools, bathrooms, trains, water fountains (etc.) -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy was 7/8 Caucasian, but was considered black under the state of Louisiana. This case was intended to challenge Louisiana's Separate Car Act and Jim crow laws that follow it. Plessy who was considered Black sat in a white only car on a train and refused to move when told to. He was arrested and the court found the law was constitutional as "Separate but equal". -
Nineteenth Amendment
The nineteenth amendment gave women the right to vote. This means that the United States can no longer deny votes based on sex or gender. This was part of a civil rights movement for women or women's suffrage movement. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v the board of education was a Supreme Court case that focused on separation within public schools. When they were denied certain schools because of their race they went to court for the violation of their 14th amendment and the Equal Protection Clause. "Separate but Equal" in public schools was ruled unequal and did violate laws, as creating the sense of inferiority within African American children would be detrimental in their growth. -
Affirmative Action
Affirmative Action was created to improve employment, education, and opportunities to people who are subject to discrimination. This typically protects: race, disability, age, gender, etc... This was a piece of the Civil Rights Act of 1965. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prohibited discrimination based on race, gender, ethnic origin, religion, etc. A main advocate for this Act was Martin Luther King Jr.. This Civil Rights Act was for employment, education, voting and just basic everyday rights. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
While the discrimination with in voting based on race was outlawed, voting booths still made it hard for African Americans to vote. This was with literacy tests. This act was to outlaw racial discrimination in voting and ban literacy tests. -
Reed v. Reed
In Reed v. Reed the Court applied the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to strike down a law that discriminated against women. This is important because it ruled discrimination based on gender is unconstitutional. -
Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment was created to provide equal rights to all American citizens including women or further known as gender equality. This helped women in legal situations such as property, divorce and employment. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
In Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Bakke was denied access to a college twice even though he exceeded the requirements, because of his race. The court ruled that the use of racial quotas in college admissions was unconstitutional. This is significant because it helped define the equal protection clause and give it new boundries. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Bowers v. Hardwick courts determined the fourteenth amendment cannot prevent states from criminalizing same-sex marriages. The significance means that same sex couples do not have the right to privacy when dealing with consensual sexual acts. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with Disabilities Act is important because it allows people with disabilities the same opportunities as non-disabled people. Some examples of how the ADA helps is with handicapped parking, or service animals. It also prevents discrimination in the workplace, public facilities or even transportation (public buses or school buses). -
Motor Voter Act
This act was to help make it easier for registering to vote. It also allows people to register when getting a drivers license or welfare services. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Lawrence v. Texas deals with punishment and sanctions of homosexual relations. In this case the courts ruled that punishment for consensual, adult sexual acts was unconstitutional. This case is an important turning point for decriminalizing homosexuality. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Obergefell v. Hodges allowed recognition for same- sex marriages in the United States. The Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause within the 14th amendment recognizes same sex marriage as an fundamental right.