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Dred Scott V. Sandford
Dred Scott and his wife sued for their freedom because they lived in a free US territory. The supreme court ruled that enslaved people were not considered US citizens. They also didn't have protection from the federal government. This court decision was nullified by the 14 and 15 amendments. -
13th Amendment
The 13th amendments states that slavery is prohibited/abolished in the United States. The amendment was approved by President Abraham Lincoln. Shortly after the amendment was ratified by 18 of the 27 states. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment states that any person born or naturalized in the United States has the right to equal protection. Everyone deserved equal protection under the laws. The amendment was passed so that people that were freed from slavery became citizens and gained their civil liberties protection. -
Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow laws made by southern states and were practiced for almost 100 years after the civil war. Racial segregation was allowed. Those who were against the Jim Crow laws were arrested, faced fines and jail sentences and others faced violence and death. -
15th Amendment
The amendment gave african american men the right to vote. It was also created to protect the voting rights of African American men after the civil war. However many southern states discriminated against African American men and made it difficult for them to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Supreme Court said that segregation did not violate the 14th amendment. As long as everything was equal. Which people use the term "separate but equal." Which was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. -
19th Amendment
After many years of protests and struggles.This amendment gave women the right to vote. Overall this amendment made it illegal to deny voting rights to US citizens based on their gender. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court ruled that separating children due to skin color was unconstitutional. It violated the 14th amendment that gave equal protection to all US citizens. Many states were still against the decision and it took long before it took effect. -
Affirmative Action
Created by President John F. Kennedy. Which says that government employees can not discriminate against people. On the basis of race, skin color, gender, and nationality. And must be treated equally in the employment. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Congress passed this act. This act mainly stated that discrimination is prohibited based on race, color, religion, gender, or nationality. Discrimination was prohibited on the basis of hiring, firing, or promoting a person in the workplace. They wanted equality in opportunities. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The main purpose of the act was to prevent discriminatory acts that were practiced by southern states that didn't allow African Americans to vote. It was a safeguard for African Americans and other minorities. This act was signed by LBJ. -
Reed v. Reed
Court had struck down a state law. The decision said that discrimination based on a person's gender is unconstitutional. Violated the 14th amendment. -
Equal Rights Amendment
This amendment granted equal rights to men and women. Ending distinctions between women and men when it came to divorce, property, and also employment. It was equally ratified by 35 out of the 38 states. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
The Supreme Court ruled that a university's use of racial "quotas" in its admissions process was unconstitutional, but that a school's "active action" to admit more minority applicants was constitutional under certain circumstances. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
The state of Georgia said that sodomy between consenting adults is a crime. The law was in violation of the 9th and 14th amendments. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Act was passed by President George H.W. Bush. This act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Places such as public places, workplaces, and transportation. -
Motor Voter Act
This act made it easier for Americans to vote. It allowed citizens to maintain their voter registration. This act was signed by Bill Clinton. -
Lawrence v. Texas
The famous case Lawrence v. Texas decriminalized homosexual behavior "kept the government out of our bedrooms." In Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court specifically said that intimate, consenting sexual activity is protected under the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
The supreme court ruled in favor that same-sex couples having the right to marry. It was protected by the 14th amendment. Historic victory in the gay rights movement.
