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Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri. He moved to Illinois, which had laws against slavery, however, Sanford brought him back to Missouri, where Scott filed a suit that said that he was a free man because he claimed residence in Illinois. The court ruled that slaves could not be American Citizens and that he had no right to sue. -
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Civil Rights Timeline
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Abolishment of Slavery
After the Civil War ended, Congress passed the 13th Amendment on January 31, 1865. Ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the U.S. This amendment paved the way for equal and civil rights for African Americans for the next century. -
14th Amendment Passed
Ratified on July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment stated that African American children born in the US, and formerly enslaved people were granted citizenship in the U.S. African Americans were also given equal protections of the law. This means that no state can deny anyone of their right to life, liberty, or liberty, without being processed in court. -
15th Amendment Passed
Ratified on February 3rd, 1870, the 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. However, many states in the South made it very difficult or impossible for African Americans to vote. Women and African American women were not given the right to vote. -
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Jim Crow Era
After the Civil War, the slaves were freed, but were still in segregation. Between the 19th century and 20th century, southern states invoked laws that limited African American rights. This in turn lead into a century long battle and protests for African American civil rights. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy filed to Supreme Court that different railroad cars for Black and White people were unconstitutional, as he was convicted for refusing to leave the whites-only railroad car. In a landmark decision, the court rules the separate but equal clause. This led to an increase in segregated environments around the South, especially because it didn't violate the 14th Amendment. -
19th Amendment Passed
Ratified on August 18th, 1920, The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. This ensured that no American can be denied of their right to vote due to gender. This Amendment was monumental as it reflected decades of hard work and persistence shown by the women who protested for this. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In the landmark decision, the court ruled in favor of integrating mixed-race schools because no one should be denied access to substantial and equal education. This ruling trumped the Plessy v. Ferguson Case of the separate but equal clause. Also, the lawyer defending Brown, Thurgood Marshall, would then be the first African American Supreme Court Justice. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act banned segregation in the USA on July 2nd, 1964. The law authorized the national government to end segregation in public education and public accommodations. The law also created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which banned discrimination in employment due to gender, sexuality, religion, national origin, race, or color. -
Affirmative Action
This law was signed by President Lyndon B Johnson on July 2nd, 1964. In light of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Affirmative Action Act was made to help increase opportunities for employment for African Americans. This spread, however, to give everyone equal rights for job employment without discrimination due to gender, sexuality, religion, national origin, race, or color. -
Civil Rights Act of 1965
The Civil Rights Act of 1965 banned restrictive votings tests in southern states that had a history of low black turnout. The government also had the power to send in federal officers to voting booths to ensure the safety of African Americans to vote. This is important as it gives all U.S citizens the right to vote. -
Reed v. Reed
After the Reeds' adopted son passed, Cecil and Sally Reed wanted to be appointed administer of their son's estate. Cecil was named administer because of Idaho's law that said that "males must be preferred to females". Sally challenged, and in a unanimous decision, the court ruled in favor of Sally because of the unequal treatment between men and women. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Bakke tried to apply for the University of California medical school, but was rejected everytime. Bakke then challenged the school, saying that the school tried to use affirmative action to hold spots for minorities, even when he excelling in his work. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bakke, because race could not be the only factor for admission into colleges. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Police arrested Hardwick for engaging in intimate homosexual sodomy, which was criminalized in Georgia. After being ruled unconstitutional in the state court, Bowers took it to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in favor of Bowers because there was no constitutional protection for sodomy. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibited discrimination among those who have disabilities. The government provides goods and services to those who are in need for equal opportunities. These include the handicap parking, lifts and ramps for people with wheelchairs, and healthcare. -
Motor Voter Act
The Motor Voter Act allowed easier access for Americans to register to vote. For example, you can now be eligible to vote at 18 years old and when you get a driver's license. This act increased Americans' involvement in our democracy, as more of the younger generation placed higher votes than the older generations. -
Lawrence v. Texas
Houstin police arrested 2 gay men for engaging in intimate sexual conduct under Texas Law. The court ruled in favor of Lawrence, stating that the arrest violates their due process clause. This overrules Bowers v. Hardwick (1986) and protects rights to engage in intimate bonding. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Many states in the US had bans over same-sex marriages or the refusal to recognize legal same-sex marriage. Obergefell challenged saying that those bans violates the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause. The Court ruled in favor of Obergefell stating that the right to marry is a liberty for all people, increasing treatment and protection over the gay community.