14th amendment

How many sections does the 14th Amendment have?

Five sections, with Section 1 being the most significant for civil liberties and rights.

Why was the 14th Amendment significant in relation to state governments?

It was the first amendment to explicitly mention states, preventing them from violating civil liberties and rights.

Before the 14th Amendment, what was the general belief about the Bill of Rights?

That it only applied to the federal government, not the states (Barron v. Baltimore, 1833).

What are the three clauses in Section 1 of the 14th Amendment?

1. Privileges or Immunities Clause 2. Due Process Clause 3. Equal Protection Clause

What does the 14th Amendment say about citizenship? Why is this important?

Anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen. This was important for securing citizenship rights, especially for formerly enslaved people.

What is the Privileges or Immunities Clause?

States cannot make laws that take away privileges, freedoms, or immunities protected by the federal government.

What is the Due Process Clause?

It prevents states from taking away life, liberty, or property without due process of law (similar to the 5th Amendment).

What is the Equal Protection Clause?

States cannot create separate laws for different groups of people—everyone must be treated equally under the law.