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Dred Scott v Sanford
Refused Dred Scott (a freed slave) citizenship stating that no african american man, whether freed or enslaved could be granted citizenship. This was significant because it denied citizenship to americans of african decent as well as claimed that congress lacked power to ban slavery in any us territory. -
13th Amendment
Stated that all enslaved people within the confederacy would now and forever be free. This was significant because this amendment ended slavery within the Unied States. -
14th Amendment
The amendment grants citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" which included former slaves. It also forbids any state to deny any person their civil liberties without due process or to deny any person equal protection under law. This was important because it granted citizenship and the protection of african americans civil rights -
15th Amendment
States that the right to vote should not be denied by race or color. This was significant because it gave african american men the right to vote, further protecting their civil rights. -
Poll Taxes
Poll taxes began with the intention of restricting African Americans from voting after the ratification of the 15th amendment which ensured their right to vote. This was significant as it was another form of discrimmination, specifically against African Americans at the time, greatly infringing upon their rights. -
Plessy v Ferguson
This case basically stated that racial segregation was not against the constitution as long as the facilities for both whites and african americans were of the same quality. This was significant as it established the idea of “separate but equal” as the ideology of the time and more importantly, in the federal government. -
White Primaries
These were primary elections held in southern states in which only white citizens were able to vote. This was another way that people would openly discriminate against minorities and blatantly exclude them from their right to vote. -
19th Amendment
This amendment gave women the right to vote. This was monumental because up until the 1900’s, women were not considered equal to men by any account and were simply not even identified in the constitution and therefore were often overlooked. This amendment leveled part of the playing field, giving women a voice and a platform to fight for their rights. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This case ruled that segregation of schools based on race violated the 14th amendment. This was significant because it ended racial segregation in public schools. -
24th Amendment
Prohibited the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes before a citizen could participate in a federal election. This was significant because it eliminated one of the ways voters were unable to participate, acting as a barrier to voter equality. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, and sex. This was vastly important as it ended segregation in schools and largely ended descrimmination in public, federal funded areas. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This outlawed discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests, on the basis of voting. This truly allowed for every person of color to vote, as these sorts of barriers prevented majority of minority voters from voting. -
Affirmative Action
A policy aimed at increasing workplace or educational opportunities for underrepresented parts of society. This works as a way to try to create an even playing field within the workplace by taking race, sex, or religion into account. -
Reed v Reed
The Supreme Court invalidated an Idaho law that required the selection of a man over a woman to serve as administrator of an estate when both were equally qualified. This is significant because it was the first time that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited differential treatment based on sex. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. This amendment would have leveled the playing field for all rights, giving virtually everybody in the U.S. the same rights. -
Regents of The University of California v Bakke
This case ruled that universities' admissions criteria which used race as a definitive factor in the admissions process is against the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. This was important as it allows for a fair chance for all students to receive an education at a school if they are qualified. -
Bowers v Hardwick
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not protect the right of gay adults to engage in private, consensual sodomy. This pretty much made it illegal to be homosexual, criminalizing them, and stripping away their rights to marriage. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act prohibits discrimmination against people with disabilities, specifically in areas such as employment or transportation. This was vastly important as those with disabilities were often seen as lesser during the 1900’s. With the passing of this act however, people with disabilities are now able to receive the accommodations they deserve as well as live equally amongst the rest of Americans. -
Motor Voter Act
Made regulations for states that included voter registration forms sent in the mail, to help all people who are able to register have the chance to vote. This was significant as it made more people eligible to vote, increasing the number of eligible voters and voter participation. -
Lawerence v Texas
This case overturned the ruling in Bowers v Hardwick, stating that making homosexual actions criminal violates the due process law. This restored their ability to engage in private conduct without interference from the government. -
Obergefell v Hodges
Ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This gave same-sex couples the same rights as opposite sex couples, eliminating discrimantion for same sex couples.
