What is the main point of the Fourteenth Amendment?
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was enacted in
1868, shortly after the end of the Civil War. Its primary goal was to ensure that
all people born or naturalized in the United States were granted equal
protection and due process under the law. This amendment was particularly
significant because it overturned the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott
v. Sandford (1857), which had denied citizenship to African Americans.
The amendment's first section 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." This clause was critical in
clarifying the newly-enfranchised citizenship rights of African Americans.
Additionally, the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from denying any
person "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" or from denying
any person the "equal protection of the laws." This clause was intended to
protect the constitutional rights of all citizens, regardless of race, ethnicity, or
gender.
The Fourteenth Amendment also provides for the removal of political officials
who engage in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution, or who have
participated in giving aid or comfort to enemies of the United States.
Overall, the Fourteenth Amendment represents a significant milestone in the
fight for civil rights and equal protection under the law in the United States.
References:
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). Fourteenth Amendment.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/14th-amendment
- United States Constitution. (1868). Fourteenth Amendment.
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_States_of_America_1992#601