What happened at the 14th amendment?
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1868 and is one of the Reconstruction Amendments. It has several key provisions:
1. Citizenship: The amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves and their descendants. This provision overturned the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, which had denied citizenship to African Americans.
2. Equal Protection: The amendment guarantees equal protection under the law to all individuals within a state's jurisdiction. It prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally.
3. Due Process: The amendment provides that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This clause ensures that individuals have fair treatment and procedural safeguards in legal proceedings.
4. Privileges or Immunities: Although this clause has been limited in its interpretation, it prohibits states from abridging the privileges or immunities of U.S. citizens. The exact scope of these privileges and immunities has been the subject of ongoing legal debate.
The 14th Amendment has played a significant role in expanding civil rights and liberties in the United States and has been the basis for numerous landmark Supreme Court decisions. It has helped protect against discrimination and inequality, and has been critical in shaping modern American constitutional law.