Fourteenth Amendment

Definition

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, is a significant part of the United States Constitution that addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. It has become a crucial element in shaping civil rights and liberties, particularly regarding the protection of individuals against state infringement on their rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Fourteenth Amendment was adopted as part of Reconstruction efforts after the Civil War to secure rights for newly freed slaves.
2. The amendment includes several clauses, such as the Citizenship Clause, Due Process Clause, and Equal Protection Clause, each serving vital roles in protecting individual rights.
3. Landmark Supreme Court cases like Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade relied heavily on the principles established by the Fourteenth Amendment.
4. The amendment has been central to many social movements seeking equal rights and protections for various groups throughout American history.
5. It played a key role in expanding civil liberties by incorporating protections from the Bill of Rights against state actions through judicial interpretations.

Review Questions

• How did the Fourteenth Amendment contribute to the expansion of civil rights in the United States?
  • The Fourteenth Amendment significantly expanded civil rights by providing a constitutional guarantee of citizenship and equal protection under the law. This amendment laid the foundation for numerous Supreme Court cases that challenged discriminatory practices and laws, effectively shaping a more inclusive interpretation of civil rights. Its clauses have empowered individuals to seek justice against state actions that infringe upon their liberties.
• Evaluate how the principles embedded in the Fourteenth Amendment have been interpreted in landmark Supreme Court decisions.
  • The principles of the Fourteenth Amendment have been pivotal in landmark Supreme Court decisions that have transformed American society. Cases like Brown v. Board of Education used the Equal Protection Clause to strike down racial segregation in public schools, while Roe v. Wade invoked the Due Process Clause to establish reproductive rights. These interpretations demonstrate how flexible and essential the amendment is in addressing contemporary social issues and protecting individual rights.
• Assess the impact of Selective Incorporation on state laws regarding individual rights since the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment.
  • Selective Incorporation has profoundly influenced state laws by applying specific rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights through the lens of the Fourteenth Amendment. This process has ensured that many fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech and religion, are protected from state interference. The impact is evident as courts continue to use selective incorporation to safeguard individual liberties against unjust state actions, thereby reinforcing the importance of a uniform standard of rights across all states.

Related terms

Equal Protection Clause:

A provision in the Fourteenth Amendment that requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons within their jurisdictions.

Due Process Clause:

A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that prohibits states from denying any person 'life, liberty, or property, without due process of law'.

Selective Incorporation:

The legal doctrine used by courts to apply certain protections of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.