Civil Rights Timeline

By gtminor

  • Dredd Scott v Sandford

    The case of Dredd v Scott is regarded as one of the most controversial SCOTUS decisions, which ultimately resulted in its overturning during the ratification of the 14th amendment. It established that POC could not be citizens of the USA, and therefore, could not sue in court.

  • 13th Amendment

    This amendment abolished slavery in the United States, and was proposed by the 16th POTUS, Abraham Lincoln. Many cite this event as the beginning of the Reconstruction Era in American History.

  • 14th Amendment

    Following its ratification, this amendment ensured that the government couldn't deprive an individual of their protected rights. In context, it was used to give POC the liberties that of non-POC, but proceeding the reconstruction era, it is used to justify selective incorporation in state level rights.

  • 15th Amendment

    This amendment ruled that every American citizen (who was a man, mind you) could vote regardless of their skin tone. Although in southern states, there was still much retaliation against black voters who wished to register.

  • Plessy v Ferguson

    Established "Separate but Equal" practices in the USA; Was overturned during the case of Brown v Board of Education. This ruling effectively separated society by requiring POC to use colored only provided goods, services, and even public facilities such as water fountains, churches, and schools. While POC still had these things, they were mostly of lesser quality, quantity, and indisputably enforced to oppress colored people.

  • 19th Amendment

    Women get voting rights! Woohoo! Now, men and women regardless of race or gender are able to vote! For a long time before this amendment, the idea of women being able to vote was stigma, and efforts to protest could've been dangerous.

  • Brown v Board of Education

    Challenged the idea of segregation through the medium of education. The school dedicated to colored children was obviously not "equal" in quality to the white only school in Topeka. This example of discrimination based on race was the proof that "Separate but Equal" principles were unattainable, and therefore oppressive and unconstitutional.

  • 24th Amendment

    Before this amendment was established, it was common to have imposed taxes in order to vote. This ruling recognized that this is oppressive to the people that couldn't afford it. By removing the paywall associated with voting, it made the election process more democratic, and less fiscal.

  • Civil Rights Act

    Although rights were given to minorities and women in amendments & rulings past, this amendment made it clear and concrete that the treatment of everyone is equal regardless of their background or affiliations.

  • Voting Rights Act

    Prohibited states from making unfair qualifications to deny people of color from voting. Even though POC had the right to vote following the reconstruction era, there were still a prevalence of individuals refusing registry of colored people through legal loopholes such as impossibly hard questions disguised as literacy evaluations.

  • Affirmative Action

    To aid in the reparations of oppressed individuals, this ruling made it possible for admissions, grants, and scholarships to favor disadvantaged groups. This was recently overturned in 2023.

  • Equal Rights Amendment

    This was a failed amendment during 1972, if passed, it would have prohibited sexual discrimination under the law, as well as providing women with equal rights as men. This was not ratified because the states did not reach a 3/4ths support of the amendment in time.

  • Title IX

    This law requires that sex based discrimination would be prohibited in any school or federally funded programs. This ruling has been recently brought up in the context to expand the ruling to protect the liberties of transgender people, which some states are actively disregarding.

  • Regents of the University of California v Bakke

    A dispute whether preferential treatment of disadvantaged groups reduces, and therefore infringes on the opportunities of white people. Put simply, it is an argument against Affirmative Action.

  • Bowers v Hardwick

    A ruling that determined that the constitution does not protect the rights of gay adults to engage in sex. Therefore, making the right of gay people to exist in the hands of the states.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    This law prohibits the discrimination of disabled people in the united states. As a result, there must be accommodations in the realm of employment, education, transportation, and other essential buildings/programs.

  • Voter ID Laws

    When casting a ballot, this ruling requires a legal identification of an individual upon voting. This ensures that elections are less capable of being defrauded.

  • Shelby County v Holder

    A ruling stating that section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was constitutional, following pressure to have it overturned. The DOJ states section 5 would "ensure that voting changes in covered jurisdictions could not be implemented used until a favorable determination has been obtained."

  • Obergefell v Hodges

    This ruling recognizes the right for gay individuals to exist, and therefore allowing them to marry one another. This is a landmark decision for the rights of LGBTQ+ members.