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Dred Scott V. Sandford
Dred Scott was a slave living in Illinois, a free state at the time. He argued that he could be an American citizen due to his residency in a free state. His master argued that no African American could be a citizen of the united states. The supreme court upheld this Sentiment leading to the undoing of years of progress as they determined that no person of African decent could be an American Citizen. -
13th Amendment
Following the Civil war, the U.S signed in this Amendment Which banned all forms of slavery in the United States. -
14th Amendment
The 2nd of the Civil War amendments, the 14th amendment Banned the process of states abridging the "Privileges or immunities of U.S Citizens" This established the equal protections clause which is still being used to extend citizens rights today. -
15th Amendment
The Third Civil war amendment gave African American Men the right to vote. This wasn't fully held as many southern states found loopholes to get around this, such as the Grandfather clause. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
Homer Plessy, a 7/8 white man was seated on the white rail car in Louisiana. It was a planned event to push the boundaries of Louisiana Law. He was arrested, and the court held that the state laws were constitutionally sound. Held the precedent that it was allowed if it was "Separate but equal." it was allowed. -
19th Amendment
This amendment stated that the right to vote cannot be denied based on Sex. This came after years of struggle and a country slowly moving towards equality. -
Equal rights amendment
This was a proposed amendment that would explicitly prohibit sex discrimination, changing the laws on property, divorce and others. It failed to be ratified at the time. Many thought that it would remove benefits women had such as protections from the draft, it has been brought up again and again since 1923, and had the votes in early 2020 but did not get ratified. -
Brown V. Board of Education
This case was the first major step in removing segregation. Removed the separate but equal clause and is backed by the 14th amendment. Launched much of the Civil rights movement as we know it. -
24th Amendment
This amendment abolished the poll taxes that had been barring many African Americans the right to vote. -
Civil rights act of 1964
This act banned all discrimination based on Race Color Sex Origin, and Gender. Set up voting rights, Prohibited discrimination, in government programs, and federal programs. effectively ended the era of Jim Crow. -
Voting Rights act of 1965
This act outlawed the problematic voting clauses adopted across most southern states. Such as the literacy tests that were an obstacle in voting for many African Americans -
Affirmative Action
This refers to the now common practice of including various factors into consideration for positions, or education. most commonly are sex and race. In an attempt to right past wrongs and get more of these minority groups into positions. Does have issues as often members of Majority groups don't receive the same opportunities as these groups. -
Title XI
Title XI was put in place to protect people from sex based discrimination. specifically in educational and sport programs. No person can be denied the benefits of any education activity. -
Regents of the University of California V. Allan Bakke
A 35 year old white man applied for UC Davis Medical school. but was denied twice due to the Schools reserved spot for 16 "Qualified Minorities" Despite Bakke having superior test scores and College GPA. He believed the Admissions were in violation of the 14th Amendment. The results were mixed as both this rigid Affirmative action was removed. but other methods were put in place to ensure Minorities were included. -
Bowers V. Hardwick
In Georgia 2 consenting Homosexuals engaged in Sodomy. This is in violating of Georgia law, and when taking to the supreme court the court upheld the states ability to create laws against Sodomy. This would be overturned in 2003 -
Americans with Disabilities act
This act prohibited any discrimination against people with disabilities, branching off to transport, work, and government planning. -
Voter ID Laws
Over time many states and the federal government had begun to require a valid ID to vote in general elections. Indiana was the first to have a strict ID law which was upheld in 2021. Now 30+ states have some form of ID Law. some see these as an attempt to restrict voting for minority groups who don't have access to a Valid ID. -
Shelby County V. Holder
A County in Alabama believed multiple sections of the voting rights act of 1965 were unconstitutional. Both sections pertain to the districts of congress, and the change of election laws. The supreme court agreed. removing both portions of the Act as they had made sense in the 60s but now were in violation of the congressional powers. Many saw it as an attack on minority voters. -
Obergefell V. Hodges
Many Same Sex couples had argued that they had a right to marry under the 14th amendment. In a landmark case the supreme court allowed for Same sex marriage under the 14th Amendment. Some Justices attempted to argue that it wasn't stated in the constitution and therefore wasn't the courts business.