Why was it necessary in 1868 to apply the federal Bill of Rights to the states with the 14th Amendment?
(1 point)
Responses
to establish civil rights for visible minorities
to establish civil rights for visible minorities
to prevent states from continuing the practice of slavery
to prevent states from continuing the practice of slavery
to give the federal government the power to prevent rebellions
to give the federal government the power to prevent rebellions
to establish proper checks and balances between state and federal governments
to establish proper checks and balances between state and federal governments
The correct response is:
to prevent states from continuing the practice of slavery.
The correct answer is: to prevent states from continuing the practice of slavery.
To understand why it was necessary in 1868 to apply the federal Bill of Rights to the states with the 14th Amendment, we need to delve into the historical context. The end of the American Civil War in 1865 resulted in the abolition of slavery with the ratification of the 13th Amendment. However, many Southern states were resistant to granting equal rights and protections to the newly freed slaves and continued to oppress and discriminate against them.
To address this issue, the 14th Amendment was passed in 1868. One of the key provisions of the 14th Amendment, specifically the Equal Protection Clause, aimed to prevent states from denying basic civil rights and liberties to individuals within their jurisdictions, including the rights outlined in the federal Bill of Rights. By incorporating the Bill of Rights into the 14th Amendment, it ensured that these fundamental rights would be applicable and enforceable by the federal government, thereby protecting them from potential violations by the states.
Therefore, the primary purpose of applying the federal Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment was to prevent states from continuing the practice of slavery and to establish civil rights for all individuals, including visible minorities, who were previously marginalized and oppressed.