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Dred Scott v. Sanford
Declared that the right of Citizenship did not extend to African Americans. Confirmed that slavery was legal and the Missouri compromise was unconstitutional. -
13th Amendment
Slavery was officially ended and all former slaves were emancipated. Involuntary servitude was also served for those paying for a crime they committed. -
14th Amendment
Citizenship was granted to any person born in the United States. Contained the Due Process Clause which was used to make states follow the Bill of Rights. -
15th Amendment
African American men were given the right to vote. No one could be denied the vote based on race. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
Separate, but equal was declared constitutional. Segregation was legal as long as white and black citizens were given the same facilities. -
19th Amendment
Women were finally given the right to vote. Anyone over 21 could now vote. -
Brown V. Board of Education
Separate, but equal was declared uncostitutional. Schools were officially integrated, but not before the national guard was needed to make some southern schools comply. -
Affirmative Action
JFK signed Order 10925 which granted minorities an increased advantage in the workforce. Attempted to diversify the government and job market. -
24th Amendment
The amendment prevented any state from charging a poll tax. Poll taxes were used to disadvantage minority groups in the south and this sought to help them better secure the vote. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The law officially prevented any discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, or national origin. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Finally put a ban to any tactic that could prevent African Americans from voting, including literacy tests. -
Title IX
Prevents any discrimination based on sex in education and in the awarding of federal financial assistance. Equal scholarships for men and women. -
Regents of the University of California V Bakke
Decided that race could be a factor in college admissions but there could not be clearly defined quotas. -
Equal Rights Amendment Ratified
A proposed amendment that would formally ban discrimination on the basis of sex. Was never officially passed. -
Bowers V. Hardwick
Officially declared that the 14th amendment did not protect the private sexual rights of same sex couples and that states could criminalized sodomy. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
A law that extended protections to Americans with disabilities. Created public accommodations for those with disabilities as well. -
Shelby County V. Holder
Removed requirements for states in regards to the approval of new voting districts. Declare that Section 4B of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. -
Obergefell V. Hodges
Gay marriage was finally legalized on the basis of the equal protection clause. States now had to recognize same sex marriage licenses and name changes. -
Voter ID Laws
A controversial and continuing issue that regards the idea that ID should be prevented to prevent voter fraud. There is little evidence that voter fraud is prevalent and many believe that these laws discriminate against minorities.