Lesson 53 of 84 · The Constitution
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareThe 14th Amendment: Equal Protection
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, is a cornerstone of civil rights in the United States, as it guarantees equal protection under the law to all individuals.
🎯 Your mission
Decide what YOU would do in their shoes.
⚡ The twist
Not voting is also a vote.
Mind = Blown
🤯 In ancient Athens, 'democracy' only included about 10% of the people.
Then & Now
🏛️ The rule you'll meet today is still on the books — sort of.
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, is a cornerstone of civil rights in the United States, as it guarantees equal protection under the law to all individuals. This amendment was enacted in the aftermath of the Civil War to address the legal status of formerly enslaved individuals and to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, are afforded the same legal protections. The Equal Protection Clause, a key provision of the 14th Amendment, has been instrumental in various landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped civil rights, such as Brown v. Board of Education, which addressed racial segregation in public schools. Consequently, the 14th Amendment remains a fundamental component of ongoing struggles for equality and justice.
Key Facts
The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law.
It was ratified in 1868.
The amendment has influenced landmark civil rights cases.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Make up a fair rule for your family. Pitch it.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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