The 14th: A Civil War-era amendment has become a mini Constitution for modern times:

After the states ratified the 14th Amendment, it officially became part of the
U.S. Constitution.

Here’s how it continues to shape American civil liberties

After the Civil War, Congress passed three constitutional amendments:

 Congress passed the 14th Amendment, inspired by the question of whether freed slaves were American citizens. States ratified in 1868.

 15th Amendment gave Black men the right to vote.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are

…No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens … nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without

of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the

All persons born in the U.S. are U.S. citizens.

 State gov’t must apply laws fairly and equally to all people.

 State gov’t must follow certain procedures before it deprives an individual of a right.

Equal Protection Clause: Big Supreme Court Cases

1896: The court allowed segregation, ruling separate facilities for Black people can be “

separate educational facilities are inherently unequal

” & ending segregation in public schools.

1967 & 2015: The court prohibited states from passing laws outlawing 

The Due Process Clause:
Big Supreme Court Cases

Major legal cases related to the 14th Amendment aren’t limited to race.

 are not voluntary and, therefore, inadmissible at trial.

1973: The court ruled states cannot deny a woman her 

 to obtain an abortion without certain procedural safeguards.

Former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson said the 14th Amendment provides "the courts with the opportunity to override the will of the people when the will of the people discriminates against a segment of our society." The 14th amendment is the longest & potentially "most complex" in the U.S. Constitution: read why