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The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery. This freed all the slaves (primarily black) in America. It was the very first step in the path to African-American freedom in the United States. (Image: Berkley) -
14th Amendment
Every person born in the U.S. (or becomes naturalized) will be a citizen of the U.S. -
The 15th Amendment
Prohibited discrimination of voting based on race, color, or previous servitude. This was another step. Even though slavery was abolished, racism ran rampant. This was meant to ensure that all citizens could vote, regardless if they were black or had been a slave. (Image: Macon) -
The Plessy v. Ferguson Case
Rather than a step forward in rights, this case was a step back. This is the famous case (although not everyone knows its name) that legalized segregation and was the start of heavy, legal, discrimination in the United States. Even though voting rights for African Americans was achieved 26 years earlier, the decision on this case made it so that the world could separate 'blacks' and 'whites'. People could see the other as different. (Image: Semansky) -
The 19th Amendment
Women received the right to vote. For a long time, Women were seen but never heard (like trophies). They were viewed and lesser and inferior to other men and husbands. This was the first big step for women to stand side by side with men as equals. (Image: "Women") -
Indian (Native American) Citizenship Act
At this time, Native Americans were finally granted citizenship. This technically made them eligible to vote (that does not, however, mean they were actually able to). The Right to vote came overtime for them, state by state (for example, Arizona allowed Natives to vote in 1948). The Voting Rights Acts helped to relieve some of this stress, however, it was a long and painful wait. (Image: Native) -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
This was the case that reversed (legally) the damage caused by the Plessy v. Ferguson case. It was a case that questioned segregation in public schools, and it ruled that the segregation for racial minorities is wrong and unequal treatment. A half-step forward in the rights of African Americans. (Image: Semansky) -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
It was passed to help prevent discrimination. It prohibited people trying to intimidate or prevent others from voting. This was important because, even though the law may change, that does not mean people actually change their ways. -
Civil Rights Act of 1960
This was created to strengthen the former Civil Rights Act of 1957. It increased room and powers for enforcement and authorized referees to help those discriminated against vote. -
The 24th Amendment
This removed the poll tax. It was being used to stop minorities and the poor from voting (because it would cost money hat they needed to survive). This was a bridge for all minorities in the U.S. that were being oppressed and discriminated against. (Image: "Poll") -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act hoped to end segregation further (though it was not legal, that does not mean it was not in practice). It allowed for the government to prohibit discrimination and segregation in private businesses (restaurants, transport, libraries, theaters). It was a huge step towards equality. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This was created to enforce the decision and law created by the 15th Amendment. While it was technically law to discriminate voters, that does not mean that it had been put into practice. 'Literacy' tests of varying degrees of difficulty (much easier questions were asked to white people) which managed to disqualify some would-be African American voters. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
Finally allowed immigration without discrimination based on nationality. Before then, many races were discriminated against. For the purpose of this project, the limit on Chinese and Asians comes to mid. -
Civil Rights Act of 1968
Also known as the Fair Housing Act, this prohibited discrimination having to do with the sale or rental decisions of housing. This influenced minorities to move into cities. -
Voting Rights Act of 1970
This extended some of the renewable parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It also declared a nationwide ban on literacy tests -
The 26th Amendment
This amendment allowed for people as young as 18 years old to vote. The issue that cause this to pass was the war. People were being drafted into the war at 18 years old, and they found it unfair that, while they could not vote and had no say in politics, they had to fight a war for the country. (Image: Thumbnail) -
Roe v. Wade
This was a huge advancement in the protection of the rights a woman has over her own person. This drew a line for legislation. Laws could not regulate a woman's abortion in the first trimester. The second trimester, there could be some regulations in order to preserve health. Only in the third trimester could abortions be banned. -
Voting Rights Act of 1975
This also extended some of the renewable aspects of the previous acts. It also worker=d to address barriers for Latino, Asian, and Native American minority voters. -
Voting Rights Act of 1982
This one updated the Voting Rights and changed essential wording of the document. Instead of prohibiting laws that intended to discriminate, it prohibited laws that resulted in discrimination. No matter what 'good intentions' lawmaker had, if it resulted in discrimination, it was illigal. -
Civil Liberties Act of 1988
This was an Act in apologies to the Asian Americans. It granted $20,000 to them as reconciliation for taking them from their homes and locking them in Internment Camps. (Image: "Los Angeles") -
Altitude Express Inc. v. Zarda
This case decided that companies cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation on the basis that discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited under the same act that prohibits discrimination based on sex (The Civil Rights Act of 1964). A large step with LBGQT civil rights.