“On July 28, 1868, the 14th amendment was declared, in a certificate of the Secretary of State, ratified by the necessary 28 of the 37 States, and became part of the supreme law of the land.” – National Archives
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted on 1868-07-09. It was one of the three Reconstruction Amendments adopted after the Civil War. The 14th Amendment has been interpreted to protect a wide range of individual rights, including the right to due process of law, the right to equal protection under the law, and the right to vote.
Background
The 14th Amendment was drafted in response to the Black Codes, a series of laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War that restricted the rights of African Americans. The amendment was designed to protect the civil rights of African Americans and to ensure that they were treated equally under the law.
Key Provisions
The 14th Amendment contains several key provisions, including:
- The Citizenship Clause, which states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”
- The Due Process Clause, which states that no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
- The Equal Protection Clause, which states that no state shall “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Interpretation
The 14th Amendment has been interpreted by the Supreme Court in a number of landmark cases. These cases have established that the 14th Amendment protects a wide range of individual rights, including:
- The right to due process of law, which means that the government must follow certain procedures before it can deprive a person of life, liberty, or property.
- The right to equal protection under the law, which means that the government must treat all people equally.
- The right to vote, which is guaranteed by the 15th Amendment but is also protected by the 14th Amendment.
Legacy
The 14th Amendment has had a profound impact on American law and society. It has been used to protect the rights of African Americans, women, and other marginalized groups. It has also been used to strike down laws that discriminate against these groups. The 14th Amendment is a key part of the foundation of American democracy.
