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Dred Scott vs. Standford
Scott was stated a slave and not a citizen. As a result, the court stated that he could not appeal to the court. In the end, this created a major roadblcok for civil rights. -
13th Amendment
One of the three amendments ratified after the Civil War. This amendment abolished slavery and indentured servitude. It allowed for the recognition of former slaves as free persons. -
14th Amendment
One of the three amendments passed after the Civil War. This amendment made former slaves and African Americans citizens. This soon led to the end of segregation. -
Poll Tax
These were taxes initiated after the passing of the 15th Amendment. These taxes were used to further discrimination and oppression of minority groups. In other words, these taxes would serve as a roadblock to Civil Rights for years. -
15th Amendment
The last of the Civil War amendments. This Amendment guaranteed that no one would be denied the vote based on color, race, or previous servitude. This amendment allowed former slaves to vote. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
This supreme court case held that segregation and "separate but equal" facilities were legal and constitutional. -
19th Amendment
"No state or national government may discriminate against voting on the basis of gender." Basically gave women the right to vote. -
White Primary
These were used as another means of oppressing African Americans and keeping their voices from being heard within the government. They allowed for primary elections that only whites could attend. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Overruled Plessy vs. Ferguson. The court found that separate schools were naturally unequal and thus the "separate but equal" was unconstitutional. -
24th Amendment
The amendment supported the civil rights. This amendment prohibits both state and national government from restricting voting through the use of a poll tax. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This amendment helped to end discrimination in voter registration as well as end all segregation in public places. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
With the passing of this act, more minority groups would have access to voting and thus have more access to government where their voices could be heard. -
Reed vs. Reed
Was an equal protection case in the US in which the SUpreme court ruled that the administrators of the estates cannot be named in a way that discriminates against sex. -
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
Supreme court decision that restrained affirmative action programs. For example, schools cannot have quotas. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This amendment allowed for equal rights in federal, state, and local governments so that no position could be discriminated against on the basis of gender. It did not pass and led to a delay in Civil Rights efforts. -
Bowers vs Hardwick
A Supreme Court case for the rights of homosexuals. In it, the court claimed a State law prohibiting certain acts between homosexuals to be illegal. It was eventually overturned by Lawrence vs. Texas. -
Americans with Disabilites Act
Provides protections against discrimination against Americans who are disabled. -
Affirmative Action
California Proposition 209 became law in 1996. Proposition 209 prohibited state institutions from considering race, sex, or ethnicity, specifically in the areas of public employment, public contracting or public education. -
Lawrence vs. Texas
A Supreme Court that overturned the ruling in Bowers v Hardwick. Therefore, homosexual behavior could no longer be stopped by State Laws. -
Fisher vs. University of Texas
A girl claimed there was affirmative action going on in University of Texas admissions. She felt that she met the criteria for admissions into the universities. The Supreme Court ruled that the university was not using affirmative action and that the university was simply pursuing students that would add greater diversity to their university.
