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Dred Scott v. Sandford
A Supreme Court case that came to the conclusion that people of black African descent don't have citizenship. And could not expect protection from federal government or courts. The Congress had no authority to ban slavery. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. In 1863 Lincoln passed the emancipation proclamation that any slaves within any state is in rebellion of the United States. But could only be enforced by areas in the Confederacy. So it was passed after the civil war. -
14th Amendment
Everyone born in the United States citizenship including slaves. And gave all citizens equal protection under the law -
15th Amendment
The right to vote can't be withheld due to race, color, servitude. It guaranteed African Americans the right to vote. But states set up test that made it nearly impossible to pass to keep African Americans from voting. -
Jim Crow Era
Period of time focused on anti-black racism. Used intimidation to keep African Americans from voting. Lynching's were also used to intimidate and segregation took place. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Supreme Court case that ruled "separate but equal" is constitutional. Case was based on a train passenger Homer Plessy refused to sit in a car for black people. -
19th Amendment
Made it illegal to deny the right to vote based on sex. This gave women the right to vote. Was introduced to Congress in 1878 and certified 42 years later in 1920 -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Ruled separating kids at school on the basis of color is unconstitutional. Overruled Plessy vs. Ferguson. Signalized the end of legalized segregation of schools -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color specifically in the workplace related to hiring, promoting, firing. It strengthened voting rights and desegregation of schools. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Was passed to overcome legal barriers at state and local levels that prevented African Americans from voting. It was passed by Lyndon B. Johnson who assumed the presidency after JFK was assassinated. -
Affirmative Action
Passed by Lyndon B Johnson to prevent discrimination in the workplace. Written program describing the steps that are taken to protect rights with regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability. -
Reed vs. Reed
First time court applied equal protection clause to get rid of a law discriminating against women. It was a unanimous decision. Used the 14th Amendment -
Equal Rights Amendment
Proposed amendment that would invalidate state and federal laws against women. Sex should not determine legal rights of men and women -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Ruled that a colleges using race as a factor to deny admission was unconstitutional. They ruled that it violated the "equal protection clause" of the 14th amendment. -
Bowers vs. Hardwick
Decision involving 14th amendment. Decided that 14th amendment doesn't stop states from criminalizing same-sex couples. Made marriage between same-sex couples illegal -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Banned discrimination against those with disabilities. This helped them with employment, transportation, public accommodations. This laws helps give people with disabilities the same rights as everyone else -
Motor Voter Act
Is actually the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It sets certain voter registration requirements. Prohibits states from removing name of a voter from official list of eligible voters for federal elections -
Lawrence vs. Texas
Overruled Bowers vs. Hardwick. Making same-sex couples legal in every state. Was a 6-3 decision. -
Obergefell vs. Hodges
Required all states to license marriages between same-sex couples. Gave same-sex couples the right to marriage.