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Dred Scott vs. Sandford
This landmark case claimed African Americans were not citizens of the United States, and also invalidated the Missouri compromise. This meant African Americans could not bring lawsuits to the court. -
13th Amendment
A direct clapback to the Dred Scott Decision, the 13th amendment was a strong one that barred slavery within the US. This was done immediately post civil-war to extend the emancipation proclamation. -
14th Amendment
Elaborated on what made a person a citizen. Also discussed certain essential rights and how their application should be done. Used to incorporate amendments- also interpreted widely in modern times. -
15th Amendment
This amendment was able to ensure basic voting rights for African Americans, barring race as a reason for denying suffrage. However, workarounds, like literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and other jim crow laws came up quickly. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson established the "separate but equal" philos. This meant racial segregation laws were constitutional as long as the facilities for black and white people were equal. The decision legalized Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in public spaces for nearly 70 years, eventually leading to the civil rights movement. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment marked a major victory for women's equality in the United States. It prohibited states from denying the right to vote based on sex, effectively guaranteeing women's suffrage. This amendment was the culmination of a long and hard-fought struggle by the women's suffrage movement, which had been campaigning for decades for political equality. The 19th Amendment significantly expanded the voting body and ushered in a new era of politics. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark Supreme Court case that outlawed racial segregation in public schools. It overturned the "separate but equal" principle established in Plessy v. Ferguson, arguing that segregated schools were inherently unequal, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Brown v. Board is considered a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement, paving the way for integration. -
Civil Rights act of 1964
Coming in almost a century after the 14th and 15th amendments, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a goliath piece of legislation that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or nationality in various facets of life. This action was a significant step forwards in upholding the promise to equality for all in the constitution. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
After the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically addressed racial discrimination in voting practices. It outlawed discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes that had been used to disenfranchise Black voters. -
Title IX
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any activity receiving federal funding. This means schools can't exclude students from activities, deny them benefits, or treat them differently based on their sex. Title IX has been instrumental in promoting equal access to education and fostering opportunities for women and girls in athletics, academics, and overall school life. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke was a Supreme Court case that addressed affirmative action in admissions. The Court delivered a weak decision; while quotas were struck down, the justices allowed race to be considered as a factor in achieving a diverse student body. This case remains significant for the ongoing debate about race and admissions, with recent cases overturning this. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
Bowers v. Hardwick upheld the constitutionality of a Georgia law criminalizing sodomy, even between consenting adults in private. This decision was seen as a setback for LGBTQ+ rights, implying no right to privacy for same-sex intimacy. However, the decision was overturned in 2003 by Lawrence v. Texas, which recognized a fundamental right to privacy in private sexual conduct. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a landmark civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability. It ensures equal opportunities for people with disabilities in employment, public spaces, transportation, government services, and telecommunication. This legislation significantly improved the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities, granting them greater independence and allowing fuller participation in society. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that same-sex couples have the fundamental right to marry under the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision overturned state bans on same-sex marriage and required all states to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, hugely advancing LGBTQ+ rights. -
Affirmative action
The Supreme Court ruled that Harvard's race-conscious admissions process discriminated against Asian American applicants. This decision effectively ended the use of race as a major factor in college admissions. Universities are now grappling with new methods to create diverse student bodies without considering race, finding workarounds. -
Voter ID laws
Voter ID laws have long been controversial, with some claiming it violated the EP clause in the 14th amendment and others claiming it to be a solid way to ensure voter fraud is prevented. Interest groups like the ACLU have long advocated against them, even challenging laws and having them struck down.