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1857
Dred Scott vs. Sandford: Dred Scott was an enslaved African American. In 1857, Dred Scott sued his owner for his freedom. The supreme court decided that the constitution didn't extend rights to African Americans. Therefore Dred's lawsuit fell through. The supreme court voted 7-2 against Dred Scott. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was the first amendment added to the constitution during the reconstruction period, after the civil war. with massive outcry over the reality that slavery was still prevalent, the government effectively banned and outlawed slavery of any sort. The only slavery still allowed was as punishment for crimes committed in the United States. -
14th Amendment
Also one of the three amendments passed during the reconstruction period, the 14th amendment played a large part in abolishing slavery and advancing society. Once ratified in 1868, the 14th amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former enslaved people. And guaranteed all citizens "equal protection of the laws." -
15th Amendment
The last of the reconstruction period Amendments passed, the 15th amendment corrected one of the last large issues that blacks had in America. The 15th amendment prohibits the federal government and each state from denying or abridging a citizens right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment allowed blacks to have a say in the election, changing the complexion of the United States altogehther. -
The Jim Crow Era
The Jim crow era is the most infamous, noteworthy era of pure hatred and racism in the United States. This era lasted from approximately 1877 until 1964. The infamous group known as the Ku Klux Klan played a vital role in the expansion of the Jim Crow Era -
Plessy VS. Ferguson
This was a supreme court case in 1896. In this case the court decided that segregation laws did not offend the constitution. The court stated that those laws weren't meant to be expanded to each race. The doctrine came to be known as "separate but equal." -
The 19th Amendment
This amendment allowed women to vote. The amendment overall was slated to allow anyone regardless of sex, race, or color the right to vote, but it mainly affected women hadn't had the right beforehand. This amendment ended an unnecessarily long and drawn out period of protest in the United States. -
Brown Vs. Board Of Education
This case is considered a huge milestone in the civil rights movement. It is also noted as one of the most significant rulings in U.S history because it showed that the government was changing its mind. This ruling in 1954 stated that segregation in schools was against the 14th amendment. -
Affirmative Action
Affirmative Action was one of the major solution of the 1960's civil rights mo0vement. It was intended to provide all equal situations and opportunities to people of minorities groups in education and employment. This was a monumental moment in civil rights. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act was first introduced by president John F. Kennedy. At first it was heavily discouraged by the south. The act, which ended segregation in public places., took until after JFK's death to be signed into law in 1964. The act also banned unemployment discriminations on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, the act is considered one of the pinnacle moments of the civil rights movement. -
Voting rights act of 1965
This act signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This act aimed to overcome legal barriers that prevented African Americans from voting. This is one of the most influential pieces in civil rights history. -
Reed Vs. Reed
Sally and Cecil Reed were a divorced couple who were in dispute over which would get the estate from their late son. The state of Idaho originally stated that "males must be preferred above females." But eventually the supreme court ruled that discrimination based on gender was against the constitution because it denies protection. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This Amendment, that was proposed in 1925 was signed into law in 1974. The main goal of this amendment was to prevent civil rights from being withdrawn on the basis of ones sex. There's controversy over if this amendment should even exist. -
Regents of the University of California Vs. Bakke
Bakke was a white male who applied to the university of California. Although his admissions scores were above average, the school wouldn't allow him to attend because the school had a racial quota of 84% white and 16% minority groups. Bakke sued the University and the court decided that the racial quota was unconstitutional and a violation of the civil rights act of 1964. -
Hardwick Vs. Bowers
In 1982, police arrived at the home of Michael Hardwick on an unassociated warrant. When they entered they found Hardwick and another man engaged in intercourse. They arrested both men for sodomy. Hardwick sued and the court ruled that the constitution does not protect the rights of gay adults to engage in private consensual sodomy. -
The Americans With disabilities Act of 1990
This act is very similar to the civil rights act of 1964. The civil rights act of 1964 aimed to grant protections to people no matter sex, race, or color. The Americans with disabilities act granted civil rights and prohibited discrimination based on disabilities. -
Motor Voter Act
The motor voter act is a united states federal law signed into law by president Clinton in 1993. This law is a legislation that required state governments to allow registration when qualifying voter applied for social services. This law forced state government to make voter registration process easier by providing uniform registration services. -
Lawrence Vs. Texas
This is a landmark decision of the U.S supreme court. In this case the court ruled that most sanctions of criminal punishment for consensual adult non- procreative sexual activity are unconstitutional. -
Obergefell Vs. Hodges
This is a landmark case of the supreme court of the United States. This case ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same sex couples by the 14th amendment. The 5-4 ruling requires all 50 states to recognize same sex marriage on the same terms and conditions as marriages of the opposite sex couples with all pre accompanying rights and responsibilities.
