Before the Civil War, African American people were not considered citizens by the federal government or the courts. During Reconstruction, the Radical Republicans wanted to pass a law that made sure freed people would be considered citizens with rights. Ratified in 1868 , the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution defined who was a citizen of the United States. It held that states could not take away the rights of United States citizens. The passage below comes from the first section of the Fourteenth Amendment. Select the part of the amendment that defines who is a United States citizen. All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. ... No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges ... of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. wherein they reside: where they live abridge: reduce deprive: take away jurisdiction: territory
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The Fourteenth Amendment was a groundbreaking step in ensuring civil rights for everyone in the United States. Its key phrase, stating that "All persons born or naturalized in the United States… are citizens,” sought to reverse the Dred Scott decision, which had denied citizenship to African Americans, and laid the foundational stone for future civil rights advancements. So, when you think about the phrase, it really laid the groundwork for equality and non-discrimination that we strive for today! In today's context, the Fourteenth Amendment continues to be a pivotal tool in legal battles for civil rights and social justice. For example, it has been invoked in landmark Supreme Court cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education, which aimed to desegregate public schools. This amendment not only shapes the legal landscape but also informs discussions around immigration and voting rights, making it an ever-relevant cornerstone in the fight for equity!
