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Dred Scott v. Sandford
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court rules that African Americans, free or enslaved, are not American citizens and have no right to sue in federal court. -
13th Amendment
The ratification of this amendment was the formal abolition of slavery in the United States, with an exception for it being punishment for a crime. -
14th Amendment
The ratification of this amendment granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the US, even former slaves, and guaranteed equal protection under the law. -
15th Amendment
The ratification of this amendment prohibited denying voting rights based on race, color, or on the basis that the person was previously a slave. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
In a 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court established the idea of being "separate but equal," allowing racial segregation in public places as long as they were deemed equal. It upheld and provided the basis for Jim Crow laws and laid the groundwork for segregation in the US. -
19th Amendment
This amendment granted women the right to vote, which marked a significant milestone in the struggle for gender equality. It represented decades of gritty activism by the women's suffrage movement. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court's ruling in this case declared state laws segregating public schools as unconstitutional. It overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and was a huge leap for the Civil Rights Movement, challenging one of the most prominent forms of racial segregation. -
24th Amendment
The ratification of this amendment abolished the use of poll taxes in federal elections, which was a significant barrier to voting for many African Americans. Its aim was to address racial disparities in voting rights and facilitate more participation. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It essentially ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination, laying the foundation for equal rights and opportunities for all Americans. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act's goal was to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote, which the 15th Amendment should have guaranteed. It gave the federal government oversight of elections in states that had a history of voter suppression. -
Equal Rights Amendment
Although it wasn't ratified, the ERA aimed to guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of gender. It incited intense debate over gender roles, discrimination, and constitutional interpretation. -
Title IX
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. It has had a profound effect on gender equity in education, particularly in athletics. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
This Supreme Court case addressed affirmative action in university admissions. While it upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action, it also placed limits on the use of racial quotas. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
In this case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a Georgia sodomy law criminalizing private homosexual acts. It reflected societal attitudes towards homosexuality at the time but was later overturned by Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. This includes employment, transportation, and public accommodations. -
Affirmative Action
This term refers to policies that aim to address historical discrimination and promote equal opportunities for underrepresented groups, typically in education and employment. -
Voter ID Laws
Voter ID laws require voters to present identification before casting their ballots. While proponents argue they prevent voter fraud, critics argue that they disproportionately impact minority and low-income voters who may have difficulty getting an ID. -
Shelby County v. Holder
In this Supreme Court case, the court invalidated a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that required certain states with a history of voter discrimination to get federal clearance before changing voting laws. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.