-
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri who moved to a free state for 10 years. When he returned to Missouri he filed a suit for his freedom because he claimed his residence in the free state would mean he is free. He lost and decided to bring his case to federal court. They ruled that he was not a citizen of the United States and couldn't be protected. -
13th Amendment
This Amendment was passed to outlaw slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. It abolished slavery and was a huge step in our history. -
14th Amendment
This is the Amendment to do with due process. It provides citizens with "equal protection under the law" and granted citizenship and civil rights to all who were born in the U.S. or went through the naturalization process. -
15th Amendment
This Amendment granted African American men the right to vote in elections. Before this only white men could vote, this is a landmark case for the supreme court. -
Jim Crow Era
The Jim Crow Era took place from around 1880 to 1950. It was when a series of laws were introduced that enforced racial segregation in southern states. It separated African Americans and whites into different bathrooms, water fountains, schools, and so much more. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy who was African American sat in a whites only car on a train and was arrested for refusing to leave the car. It went to court to see if the separate car act violated the 14th amendment. The court decided that the law was constitutional. -
19th Amendment
Gave women the right to vote, voting rights could not be discriminated against because of sex. Previous to this only men could vote and women's suffrage was not taken seriously or thought of as important. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This case ended segregation in schools. It held that separate but equal schools are inherently unequal. It was said that the separate but equal clause, that this case went against, taught children that they were inferior. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prohibited discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act was created to try to overcome barriers for African Americans to vote and exercise their right given to them by the 15th Amendment. It outlawed racial discrimination in voting. -
Affirmative Action
This act aimed at increasing opportunities in the workplace and in educational facilities. It was created to help minorities and those who are historically discriminated against in these instances. It deals with race, gender, and age. -
Reed v. Reed
This was a case where a divorced couple's son passed and the husband was immediately assigned the administrator of the estate according to the Idaho Probate code. The wife brought the case to court. The court held that this violated the equal protection clause. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This amendment guarantees equal rights for all U.S. citizens regardless of sex. This was meant to end legal differences between men and women when it came to property, employment, divorce, and many other things. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
This case held that universities who based admissions on race violated the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
A man was charged for violating the Georgia state law against sodomy. He went to court arguing that the constitution protected his right to this act. The court was divided and found that there was no part of the constitution that protected this and that this issue was left up to the states. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act prohibits discrimination against individuals affected by disabilities. They can not be discriminated from everyday activities including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communication and access to state and local government' programs and services. -
Motor Voter Act
This act set forth a list of voter registration requirement that must apply to be able to vote in federal elections. This also made mail in voter registration forms allowed. Required states to make voter registration more accessible. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Two men in Texas were caught engaging in a sexual act and arrested. They argued that it violated their right to privacy under the due process clause and the equal protection clause. The court held that Texas making this act a crime did violate the fourteenth amendment and the ue process clause. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
This was the case that decided that the equal protection clause under the fourteenth amendment protects same sex marriage. It was held that marriage licenses must be issued to same sex couples who want them and that all states have to recognize their marriage as legal. A very big landmark case for the supreme court.