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Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott, a slave, lived in a free state yet he was still kept as a slave. When he took his case to court and asked for wages to cover his years kept as a slave, Sanford refused. -
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Reconstruction
After the Civil War, this was a period of time where there were efforts to rebuild the South and incorporate African Americans into society. -
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Jim Crow Era
Jim Crow laws were the state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the South. All were enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by white Democratic-dominated state legislatures after Reconstruction. These laws were enforced until 1965. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
A court case ruling that "separate but equal" accommodations were permitted for African Americans under the Constitution. Because of this certain, Jim Crow laws were permitted but not all. -
19th Amendment
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." -
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Scottsboro Boys
A case where nine African Americans were falsely accused of raping two white women. There were multiple retrials in efforts to prove their innocence. Finally, all of the boys were released in 1937. -
George Stinney Case
A young negro child that was lynched in slow motion. At 14 years old he was tried for the murder of two white girls. He received an unfair trial and was denied his due process rights. Since he was so small they had to strap him in the chair to be electrocuted. In 2005, the death penalty was ruled unconstitutional for minors making him the youngest person to ever be executed. -
Brown v. Board
A court case that established that the "separate but equal" doctrine did not truly mean equality for all races. -
James Meredith enrolls in Ole Miss University
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act outlawed discrimination against race, gender, color or cultural origin. It put a ban on any and every kind of discrimination. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act prohibited jurisdictions from implementing change affecting voting. -
Civil Rights Act of 1968
The Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibited forms of housing discrimination. (ex: Refusal to sell or rent housing to any person because of his/her race, color, religion or national origin.) -
California v. Bakke
Allan Bakke was rejected for acceptance into the University of California Medical School at Davis. Even though his qualifications exceeded those of the minorities that were accepted he was denied acceptance because of his race. The court ruled in favor and ordered the medical school to admit Bakke. -
13th Amendment
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." -
14th Amendment
Establishes due process, defines citizenship, and guarantees "equal protection of the laws". -
15th Amendment
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." -
24th Amendment
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax." -
Gratz v. Bollinger
Jennifer Gratz and Patrick Hamacher were both denied admittance to the University of Michigan' College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. They were rejected because of their race. The court ruled a 6-3 decision in favor of Grantz. -
Meredith v. Jefferson Co Board
Jefferson County Public Schools implemented an enrollment plan that gave students a choice of schools. However, there were restrictions set upon their choice which violated their 14th Amendment right to equal protection of the laws. In a 5-4 court ruling, it was decided that the school enrollment plan was unconstitutional. -
Shelby County v. Holder
The voting rights act was considered to be unconstitutional. Its purpose no longer fits the needs of our society.
