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Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott, a former slave from Missouri, believed that because he had moved to the free state of Illinois, it was unconstitutional for him to be denied freedom. After many years, the case finally reached the Supreme Court, and it was ruled that because African Americans were property and not citizens, they were not allowed to sue in federal court. With the Missouri Compromise, many abolitionists were enraged, which fueled the country's division leading to the Civil War. -
13th Amendment
Concluding the Civil War, Congress passed the 13th amendment, declaring that slavery and servitude, unless used for criminal punishment, are unconstitutional. This Amendment guaranteed the freedom of all African American slaves. Although it did not eliminate discrimination, passing this amendment was the first major step toward achieving racial equality in the United States. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment guarantees citizenship to all naturalized United States citizens, including African Americans, as well as equal protection under the Constitution. Reinforced by the Dred Scott case, former slaves had been previously regarded as property who didn’t have rights. With the 14th amendment, this was the first time African Americans were recognized as citizens of the United States whose freedoms were protected by the government. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment guaranteed African American men the right to vote. This allowed people of color to participate in and have a say in the government for the first time in US history. Although many limitations were placed to prevent them from voting, such as literacy tests and the Grandfather Clause, African American men’s voting rights and ability to run for office were still protected under the Constitution. -
Jim Crow Era
The Jim Crow Era was the period after Reconstruction when the South passed many state and local laws restricting African Americans’ rights. They promoted segregation, discrimination, and a sense of white supremacy. Even though slavery was no longer legal, these social rules reinforced African American inferiority and inequality. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Backed by the NAACP, Homer Plessy argued that after being arrested for sitting in a whites-only train car, the Separate Car Act violated the 13th and 14th Amendments. However, the Supreme Court disagreed, declaring that the “separate but equal” laws did not go against the Equal Protection Clause as they believed that African Americans were being given equal opportunities as their white counterparts. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment made it illegal to restrict one’s voting rights based on their gender. This was an important step for women especially, as they had no say in their government prior to this amendment being ratified; even African American men were granted the right to vote before them. Previously not taken seriously, women were now empowered to participate in political activities, having the freedom to lead more equal lives. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment helped establish more equality for women, ending the discrimination between men and women regarding legalities such as divorce, property management, and employment. Unlike the 19th Amendment, which only guaranteed their right to vote, women now had more freedom in society. Able to live more independent lives, this amendment encouraged women with a greater sense of gender equality. -
Brown v. Board of Education
As laws allowing segregated public education were still in place, there had been many cases where African American students were denied admittance to specific schools across the nation. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Brown, overturning the Plessy case and outlawing segregation in schools. This enabled African American students the same educational opportunities as their peers. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protected citizens from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and origin in public areas. It reinforced the 14th Amendment, stating that all citizens had equal protection under the law. Issues regarding unfair voting limitations as well as segregation in schools were also outlawed. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was put in place by Lydon B. Johnson, outlawing all discrimination in voting. Prerequisites such as literacy tests and the Grandfather Clause that were used to prevent African Americans from voting in the South were now illegal. This allowed African American men a more equal chance to vote and have a say in the government. -
Affirmative Action
The purpose of the Affirmative Action programs is to promote change from past discrimination. It helped to establish equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, color, gender, or religion. Minority employment increased as well as diversity in the United States. With everyone being given a fair chance, our nation has become a more equal society. -
Reed v. Reed
When selecting legal representatives for managing an estate, Idaho required that men would be chosen over females. After the death of their son, the wife, believed that this violated the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court ruled that this contrasting treatment between men and women was unconstitutional. This was the first time in history that the Equal Protection Clause was used in favor of women’s rights, paving the way toward better gender equality. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Bakke, a white man, had been denied to medical school twice in favor of minority students, even though his GPA and test scores exceeded theirs. The case made it to the Supreme Court as a potential violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ruling was that race could not be the only factor for college admissions, making racial quotas illegal. This helped eliminate racial bias for college decisions. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Hardwick was seen by a police officer having homosexual intercourse, and was charged with violating Georgia’s law regarding sexual relations. The Supreme Court ruled that there is no right to privacy for same-sex couples under the 14th amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. This was a setback for the LGBTQ+ community, as they were viewed as inferior to heterosexual relations. -
Americans with Disabilites Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act outlawed the discrimination of people with disabilities in many areas of public life, including employment, transportation, and public accommodations. Previously, especially when it came to jobs, disabled individuals were denied opportunities to make a living and were refused the necessary accommodations that were needed for them to function. With the ADA, this community of people was guaranteed the same civil rights as their peers. -
Motor Voter Act
The Motor Voter Act made it easier for Americans to register to vote. This allowed more opportunities for all citizens to participate in the government, as well as maintain their registration. As more people were registered, voter turnout increased. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Police found and arrested Lawrence and Garner, a homosexual couple, for having sexual conduct, as same-sex relations were outlawed in Texas. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lawrence, declaring that Texas’ decree violated the Due Process Clause, and was therefore unconstitutional. Overturning Bowers v. Hardwick case, homosexual couples were now guaranteed the right to privacy regarding their sexual conduct. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Groups of homosexual couples sued several states against their laws that denied same-sex marriages. Each case argued laws violated the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the groups, declaring that the right to marriage applies to all groups of people, not just opposite-sex couples. This was a major step for the LGBTQ+ community, as this was the first time in these specific states that their sexuality and identity were recognized.