[1 Point] (Question 24): Which of the following statements BEST explains how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government? Please explain your answer.
(Answer 1[A]: It allows the national government to prohibit voting discrimination based on race in the states).
(Answer 2[B]: It allows the national government to practice fiscal federalism in relation to the states).
(Answer 3[C]: It allows the national government to prohibit discrimination based on gender in the states).
(Answer 4[D]: It allows the national government to ensure civil liberties and civil rights of the states).
The correct answer is Answer 1 [A]: It allows the national government to prohibit voting discrimination based on race in the states.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all individuals born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people, and provided equal protection under the law. One of the significant impacts of the Fourteenth Amendment was its ability to empower the national government to enforce voting rights and prohibit discrimination based on race in the states. This amendment allowed the federal government to intervene in cases where states were engaging in discriminatory practices that violated the constitutional rights of individuals.
By granting power to the national government to address voting discrimination, the Fourteenth Amendment expanded the federal government's authority in protecting civil rights and ensuring equal treatment for all citizens. It aimed to address the injustices faced by African Americans and protect their fundamental rights, such as the right to vote. This increased the power and jurisdiction of the national government to intervene and enforce equal voting rights in the states, ultimately strengthening its authority in protecting individual liberties and promoting equality.
The best statement that explains how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national government is Answer 1: It allows the national government to prohibit voting discrimination based on race in the states.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1868 and grants equal protection of the laws to all citizens. Specifically, section one of the amendment states that no state shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." This provision has been interpreted to include the prohibition of racial discrimination in voting.
By allowing the national government to prohibit voting discrimination based on race in the states, the Fourteenth Amendment strengthens the power of the national government in ensuring equal rights and protection for all citizens. It enables the federal government to intervene and enforce voting rights in cases where states may attempt to discriminate against certain racial groups. Therefore, Answer 1[A] is the correct answer.
To determine which statement best explains how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government, we need to understand the implications of the Fourteenth Amendment and its specific provisions.
The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868 and has been instrumental in shaping civil rights and protections in the United States. It contains several key provisions, including the Equal Protection Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the Privileges or Immunities Clause.
Let's examine each answer option and understand how it relates to the Fourteenth Amendment:
Answer 1 [A]: It allows the national government to prohibit voting discrimination based on race in the states.
The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause prohibits the states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This clause has been used to combat racial discrimination, including voting discrimination, by granting the federal government the authority to enforce equal protection in the states. Therefore, this answer correctly explains how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government.
Answer 2 [B]: It allows the national government to practice fiscal federalism in relation to the states.
Fiscal federalism refers to the division of financial responsibilities between the national government and the states. While the Fourteenth Amendment grants the national government authority in matters of equal protection and civil rights, it does not specifically address fiscal federalism. Therefore, this answer does not accurately explain how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government.
Answer 3 [C]: It allows the national government to prohibit discrimination based on gender in the states.
While the Fourteenth Amendment has been instrumental in combating gender discrimination and has been interpreted by courts to apply to gender-based discrimination alongside race-based discrimination, it does not specifically mention gender discrimination. Instead, it primarily focuses on racial discrimination. Therefore, although it expands the scope of civil rights, this answer does not directly explain how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government.
Answer 4 [D]: It allows the national government to ensure civil liberties and civil rights of the states.
The Fourteenth Amendment, through its Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, provides a foundation for protecting civil liberties and civil rights. However, it does not grant the national government the explicit power to ensure these rights in the states. Instead, it empowers the federal government to enforce equal protection and prohibits states from violating individual rights. Thus, while this answer acknowledges the importance of civil liberties and civil rights, it does not effectively explain how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government.
In conclusion, the statement that BEST explains how the Fourteenth Amendment increases the power of the national Government is Answer 1 [A]: It allows the national government to prohibit voting discrimination based on race in the states. The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment grants the federal government authority to ensure equal protection and combat racial discrimination, including in matters of voting.