Defined citizenship: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
Guaranteed equal protection of the laws: No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities 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.
Disqualified former Confederate officials from holding office unless Congress approved.
Reduced representation for states that denied voting rights to male citizens.
Impact: Why Significant?:
Reconstruction Era: The 14th Amendment aimed to secure civil rights for formerly enslaved people and to ensure equal treatment under the law.
Civil Rights Movement: This amendment has served as a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, providing legal basis for challenging racial segregation and discrimination.
Subsequent Amendments: It laid the foundation for other amendments addressing civil rights, such as the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments.
Judicial Interpretation: The 14th Amendment has been the subject of numerous Supreme Court cases and continues to be a source of ongoing debate about the meaning of “equal protection” and “due process.”
Foundation of American Identity: This amendment helps define the core principles of American citizenship and the ideal of equality under the law.