Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution: Difference between revisions
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[[File:JABingham.jpg|thumb|right|200px|{{Center|Representative John A. Bingham of Ohio, the main [[author]] (framer) of the Fourteenth Amendment}}]] |
[[File:JABingham.jpg|thumb|right|200px|{{Center|Representative John A. Bingham of Ohio, the main [[author]] (framer) of the Fourteenth Amendment}}]] |
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The '''Fourteenth Amendment''' ('''Amendment XIV''') to the [[United States Constitution]] was adopted on July 9, 1868. It was one of the [[Reconstruction Amendments]]. The [[amendment]] discusses [[citizenship]] rights and [[Equal Protection Clause|equal protection]] of the [[law]]s. It was proposed in response to issues related to former [[Slavery|slaves]] following the [[American Civil War]]. This amendment was bitterly contested. [[Southern United States|Southern states]] were forced to ratify it in order to regain representation in Congress. The Fourteenth Amendment is one of the most [[Lawsuit|litigated]] parts of the Constitution. It forms the basis for [[landmark decision]]s such as ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' (1973), and ''[[Bush v. Gore]]'' (2000). The amendment limits the actions of all [[States of the United States|states]] and local [[official]]s, including those acting on behalf of such an official. |
The '''Fourteenth Amendment''' ('''Amendment XIV''') to the [[United States Constitution]] was adopted on July 9, 1868. It was one of the [[Reconstruction Amendments]]. The [[amendment]] discusses [[citizenship]] rights and [[Equal Protection Clause|equal protection]] of the [[law]]s. It was proposed in response to issues related to former [[Slavery|slaves]] following the [[American Civil War]]. This amendment was bitterly contested. [[Southern United States|Southern states]] were forced to ratify it in order to regain representation in Congress. The Fourteenth Amendment is one of the most [[Lawsuit|litigated]] parts of the Constitution. It forms the basis for [[landmark decision]]s such as ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' (1973), and ''[[Bush v. Gore]]'' (2000). The amendment limits the actions of all [[States of the United States|states]] and local [[official]]s, including those acting on behalf of such an official. It is the most important Constitutional amendment since the [[Bill of Rights]] was passed in 1791. |
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== Summary == |
== Summary == |
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At the end of the Civil War, [[Abraham Lincoln]] freed the slaves. The problem was, he did not ask [[United States Congress|Congress]].<ref name=NM>{{cite web |url=http://www1.nickmalik.com/explaining-the-14th-amendment-in-non-technical-english/ |title=Explaining the 14th Amendment in Non-Technical English |author=Nick Malik |date=7 February 2014 |website= |publisher=Nick Malik |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> No law was passed to free slaves. Meanwhile, some states still had slavery.<ref name=NM/> The [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Thirteenth Amendment]] freed the slaves. It became law in late 1865. The Fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States”. This included freed slaves. It gave [[Americans|American]] the protection of [[civil rights]].<ref name=LOC>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/14thamendment.html |title=Primary Documents in American History; 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution |author= |date= |website= |publisher=The Library of Congress |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> It forbids states from denying anyone their life, their liberty or their property without [[due process]].<ref name=LOC/> States could not deny persons "equal protection of the laws."<ref name=AC>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/14th-Amendment-Summary.htm |title=14th Amendment Summary |author=Martin Kelly |date= |website= |publisher=About.com |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> |
At the end of the Civil War, [[Abraham Lincoln]] freed the slaves. The problem was, he did not ask [[United States Congress|Congress]].<ref name=NM>{{cite web |url=http://www1.nickmalik.com/explaining-the-14th-amendment-in-non-technical-english/ |title=Explaining the 14th Amendment in Non-Technical English |author=Nick Malik |date=7 February 2014 |website= |publisher=Nick Malik |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> No law was passed to free slaves. Meanwhile, some states still had slavery.<ref name=NM/> The [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Thirteenth Amendment]] freed the slaves. It became law in late 1865. |
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=== Section one - citizenship === |
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The first section of the Fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States”. This included freed slaves. It gave [[Americans|American]] the protection of [[civil rights]].<ref name=LOC>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/14thamendment.html |title=Primary Documents in American History; 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution |author= |date= |website= |publisher=The Library of Congress |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> It forbids states from denying anyone their life, their liberty or their property without [[due process]].<ref name=LOC/> States could not deny persons "equal protection of the laws."<ref name=AC>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/14th-Amendment-Summary.htm |title=14th Amendment Summary |author=Martin Kelly |date= |website= |publisher=About.com |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> It meant that for the first time all people would have the same protection no matter what their color. The fact that states were mentioned makes them responsible for these protections the same as the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]].<ref name=AC/> The Fourteenth Amendment is cited more often in [[law suit]]s than any other amendment.<ref name=LOC/> |
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=== Section two - apportionment === |
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The second section changed a part of the original Constitution which counted slaves as [[Three-Fifths Compromise|three-fifths]] of a person.<ref name=SU>{{cite web |url=http://www.shmoop.com/constitution/14th-amendment.html |title=14th Amendment|author= |date= |website= |publisher=SHMOOP UNIVERSITY |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> This was for the purpose of determining how many U.S. [[congress]]men a state could have ([[Apportionment (politics)|apportionment]]). The second section established that every citizen would be counted as one person.<ref name=SU/> |
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=== Sections three, four and five === |
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The third section was intended to be strict with members of the [[Confederacy]] who fought against the United States. It required a two-thirds vote of Congress to allow leaders of the Confederacy to regain their citizenship or hold office.<ref name=SU/> To be allowed to hold a federal office, former confederates had to swear an [[Oath of office|oath]] to uphold the constitution.<ref name=NM/> Section four said the federal government would not repay Confederate debts.<ref name=KL>{{cite web |url=http://kids.laws.com/14th-amendment |title=14TH AMENDMENT |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Laws.com |accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> Section five means what it says, Congress will enforce the provisions of the 14th amendment.<ref name=KL/> |
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== Other websites == |
== Other websites == |
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* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_14th.html Jim Crow Stories; The Fourteenth Amendment Ratified (1868)] |
* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_14th.html Jim Crow Stories; The Fourteenth Amendment Ratified (1868)] |
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* [http:// |
* [http://www.legalmatch.com/understanding-14th-amendment.html Understanding the 14th Amendment] |
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Revision as of 21:01, 11 April 2015
The Fourteenth Amendment (Amendment XIV) to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9, 1868. It was one of the Reconstruction Amendments. The amendment discusses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws. It was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War. This amendment was bitterly contested. Southern states were forced to ratify it in order to regain representation in Congress. The Fourteenth Amendment is one of the most litigated parts of the Constitution. It forms the basis for landmark decisions such as Roe v. Wade (1973), and Bush v. Gore (2000). The amendment limits the actions of all states and local officials, including those acting on behalf of such an official. It is the most important Constitutional amendment since the Bill of Rights was passed in 1791.
Summary
At the end of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. The problem was, he did not ask Congress.[1] No law was passed to free slaves. Meanwhile, some states still had slavery.[1] The Thirteenth Amendment freed the slaves. It became law in late 1865.
Section one - citizenship
The first section of the Fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States”. This included freed slaves. It gave American the protection of civil rights.[2] It forbids states from denying anyone their life, their liberty or their property without due process.[2] States could not deny persons "equal protection of the laws."[3] It meant that for the first time all people would have the same protection no matter what their color. The fact that states were mentioned makes them responsible for these protections the same as the federal government.[3] The Fourteenth Amendment is cited more often in law suits than any other amendment.[2]
Section two - apportionment
The second section changed a part of the original Constitution which counted slaves as three-fifths of a person.[4] This was for the purpose of determining how many U.S. congressmen a state could have (apportionment). The second section established that every citizen would be counted as one person.[4]
Sections three, four and five
The third section was intended to be strict with members of the Confederacy who fought against the United States. It required a two-thirds vote of Congress to allow leaders of the Confederacy to regain their citizenship or hold office.[4] To be allowed to hold a federal office, former confederates had to swear an oath to uphold the constitution.[1] Section four said the federal government would not repay Confederate debts.[5] Section five means what it says, Congress will enforce the provisions of the 14th amendment.[5]
Text
Section 1. 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. 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.
Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nick Malik (7 February 2014). "Explaining the 14th Amendment in Non-Technical English". Nick Malik. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Primary Documents in American History; 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Martin Kelly. "14th Amendment Summary". About.com. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "14th Amendment". SHMOOP UNIVERSITY. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "14TH AMENDMENT". Laws.com. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ↑ "Constitution of the United States: Amendments 11–27". National Archives and Records Administration. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
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