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Dred Scott v Sandford
Scott sued for his freedom, as he lived in Illinois where slavery was outlawed. The court ruled that Scott was not a citizen and did not have the right to sue; "a negro, whose ancestors were imported into [the US], and sold as slaves" according to the majority opinion, did not have the standing to sue in federal court. Taney dismissed the case on procedural grounds, and further held that the Missouri Compromise of 1820 was unconstitutional. -
Poll Taxes
A tax required to pay before being allowed to vote. These taxes discriminatorily affected African-American individuals, preventing them from voting during elections. -
13th amendment
Formally abolished slavery; "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." -
14th amendment
Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the US, including former slaves. Gave all citizens equal protections under the law. -
15th amendment
Guaranteed the right of citizens to not be denied or abridged the right to vote by the US on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Plessy v Ferguson
Plessy protested segregation in boxcars on a train, and was arrested for refusing to vacate the "whites-only" car. Plessy sued, saying that the Separate Cars Act in Louisiana violated the 13th and 14th amendments. Court ruled that the Separate Cars Act was constitutional, saying that separate cars did not mean inequal cars or imply the inferiority of African Americans -
19th amendment
Granted women the right to vote -
Brown v Board of Education
African Americans were denied access to public schools on basis of race, and they sued arguing that it violated the 14th amendment. The court ruled "separate but equal" facilities were inherently unequal and violated the 14th amendment, and segregating schools was unconstitutional. -
24th amendment
Poll taxes cannot be used to prevent individuals from voting. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, sex, or nationality. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Outlawed discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests. (Mainly prevalent in southern states) -
Reed v Reed
Idaho Probate Code said "males must be preferred to females" when appointing administrators of estates. A separated couple both sought to be the administrators of their estate after their son died. Cecil (male) was appointed by the state over Sally (female), and she challenged the decision. The court held that the Idaho law was unconstitutional, and that the choice could not be decided on the basis of sex. -
Equal Rights Amendment
Guarantees legal gender equality for women and men -
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
Allan Bakke was twice denied admission to the University of California Medical School, despite his good grades, and he sued saying he was denied based on his race. The Court ruled that admissions systems based on race were unconstitutional, and the college was ordered to admit Bakke. -
Bowers v Hardwick
Hardwick was observed engaging in consensual homosexual sex in his bedroom, and was charged with violating a Georgia statute that made homosexual sex illegal. The court ruled that there was no constitutional protection for homosexual activity, fearing that guaranteeing the right of sodomy would be a court made law. -
White Primaries
Primary elections held in the Southern US in which only white persons were permitted to vote. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Requires public buildings be accessible for individuals with wheelchairs. -
Motor Voter Act
Sets forth voter registration requirements for elections for federal office. -
Lawrence v Texas
The police entered a home after a reported disturbance and found two men having sex, and the men were arrested for engaging in homosexual acts. Court ruled that Texas statute making gay sex illegal was unconstitutional, and the men had the right to engage in homosexual acts. -
Affirmative Action
Set of procedures designed to eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants, fix past issues due to that discrimination, and prevent that discrimination in the future -
Obergefell v Hodges
Group of same-sex couples challenges states' bans on homosexuality. Court ruled 5-4 that 14th amendment guaranteed the right to marry who you want as a fundamental right.