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Dred Scott v. Standford
Dred Scott, an enslaved black man, and his wife were owned by a man who travelled with his slaves to a free territory, to which Scott went to court and sued for his and his family's freedom. This court case declared that Black People, enslaved or free, are not and will not be citizens of the United States- therefore cannot receive government protection like a citizen would.. -
13th Amendment
This amendment was passed after the Civil War, and it outlawed slavery and forced labor throughout the United States. It did, however, allow prisoners to be forced to work as punishment for their crimes, which is still controversial today because there is a specific exception to slavery in jailhouses where black men are disproportionally placed, but otherwise ended the brutal practice of enslaving people. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment was a key step towards civil rights in the United States and granted many civil liberties to the people as well. It defined citizenship for anyone born or naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people. It also guaranteed citizens due process legal protections and equal protection under the law, paving the way for future Supreme Court decisions that expanded civil liberties. -
15th Amendment
In the aftermath of the Civil War, the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, stood as a crucial pillar in rebuilding the fractured nation. This amendment aimed to secure their political participation as well. It outlawed states from denying men the right to vote solely on the basis of his race. This marked a significant leap forward in the quest for racial equality, etching the right for black men to vote into the very fabric of the Constitution. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case, widely known for it's "separate but equal" clause, was a challenge to the Separate Car Act passed by Louisiana by Homer Ferguson (who was 1/8th black) who attempted to sit in a "whites only" railroad car and was asked to leave, but he refused and was arrested. In this trial, his lawyers argued the Act violated the 13 and 14th amendments. The supreme court decided it was a violation, but as long as segregation was equal it was not a violation of the constitution. -
19th Amendment
This prohibits anywhere in the United States from denying anyone the right to vote on the basis of sex- which granted women the right to vote. This amendment was a direct affect of the Women's Suffrage Movement, and marked a huge step in women's developing political equality. -
Brown v. Brown of Education
This case was a huge step in ending racial segregation in the US after the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional and violated the previous "separate but equal" precedent made by the Plessy v Ferguson decision. The vague wording made it to where segregation was still legal, just not in schools- as well as gave no instruction on how to implement this law. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that dismantled many of the legal barriers dividing America. Signed into law in 1964, it outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public places and employment. This act helped end segregation in schools, restaurants, and other facilities, and gave individuals more power to fight unfair treatment in the workplace. -
24th Amendment
The 24th Amendment banned a sneaky tactic some states used to prevent people from voting. This tactic, called the poll tax, required citizens to pay a fee before they could register to vote. The 24th Amendment stopped this by making it illegal to deny someone the right to vote based on their inability to pay a tax. This helped ensure everyone had a fair shot at participating in elections. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Prior to this Act, there were many sneaky tactics to discriminate on voters on the basis of race or ethnicity, such as literacy tests or language restrictions. This act prohibited imposing qualifications/ standards and expanded to right to vote to all US citizens. This act has been amended and expanded over time to fit into modern voting, but overall serves as a protection to every citizen's right to vote. -
Affirmative Action
This concept emerged during the Civil Rights Movement with the primary goal of promoting diversity and inclusivity in institutions and workplaces. This was encouraged through quotas and regulations that had to be met to increase diversity in workplaces. -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at guaranteeing equal rights under the law regardless of sex. It was passed by Congress in 1972 but failed to be ratified by enough states within the specified deadline. This continues to be a topic of debate, with supporters advocating for its passage to address sex discrimination, while opponents raise concerns about potential implications. -
Title IX
Title IX is a federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. It applies to various aspects of education, including admissions, athletics, and employment. Title IX has had a significant impact on promoting gender equality in education, particularly in ensuring equal opportunities for female students in athletics. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke was a landmark Supreme Court case for affirmative action. It dealt with affirmative action in university admissions. The Court ruled that while race could be considered as one factor in admissions decisions, strict racial quotas were unconstitutional. This decision has had a significant impact on affirmative action policies in higher education and other decisions. -
Bowers v. Hardwick
The Supreme Court reviewed a Georgia law that made consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex a criminal offense. The case raised questions about privacy rights and the constitutionality of laws that target certain sexual activities. The Court ultimately upheld the law, stating that there was no fundamental right to engage in homosexual activity. This decision was significant for its impact on LGBTQ+ rights and the recognition of privacy rights under the Constitution. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various aspects of public life, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications. It mandates equal opportunities, access, and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, aiming to ensure they can fully participate in society. This made a profound impact on improving accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities across the US. -
Voter ID Laws
Voter ID laws require individuals to show identification before voting in elections. Supporters say they prevent fraud, but critics argue they can disenfranchise certain groups. The debate centers on balancing election integrity with access to voting rights. -
Shelby County v Holder
In Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This provision required certain states and jurisdictions with a history of voter discrimination to get federal approval before changing their voting laws (known as "preclearance"). The Court's decision argued that the formula used to determine which areas were subject to preclearance was outdated and no longer reflected current conditions. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015. The case centered on whether the Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry and to have their marriages recognized across all states. The Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violated the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This landmark decision marked a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ rights and privacy protection under the law.