14th Amendment 1868: Citizenship and Equal Protection — Reading Comprehension

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1868, during a period known as Reconstruction. After the Civil War, the nation faced a major problem: millions of formerly enslaved people were free, but their rights and legal status were uncertain. Some states passed laws, called Black Codes, that tried to limit the freedom of African Americans. These laws created tension between the federal government and Southern states.

Congress proposed the 14th Amendment as a solution to these conflicts. Its first section states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States... are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” This was a major expansion of citizenship. It meant that people born in the country—including formerly enslaved individuals—were now full citizens, regardless of race. This key change challenged the earlier Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court, which had ruled that African Americans could not be citizens.

The 14th Amendment also included an Equal Protection Clause, which required states to provide equal protection under the law to all people. This clause was designed to prevent states from passing unfair laws that discriminated against certain groups. While Congress believed this would help create a more just society, many white Southerners opposed it. They argued that it violated state rights and threatened their traditional way of life. Some even refused to ratify the amendment at first.

The debate over the 14th Amendment showed the complexity of federalism in the United States. Supporters, including many formerly enslaved people and Northern politicians, believed the federal government needed strong power to protect individual rights. Opponents in the South believed states should control their own laws. The conflict between these perspectives shaped the amendment’s creation and implementation.

One primary source from the amendment reads, “No state shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This sentence became a powerful tool for those fighting for civil rights. Over the next century, activists and lawyers used the 14th Amendment to challenge segregation, unfair voting laws, and discrimination in courts. The Supreme Court relied on its precedent during important cases like Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which ended legal school segregation.

Although the amendment promised equality, the reality was more complicated. Many states found ways to avoid following the law, such as creating poll taxes and literacy tests to prevent African Americans from voting. These actions showed that legal change did not always mean immediate social change. The struggle for true equal protection continued for decades, led by civil rights leaders who used the 14th Amendment as their foundation.

In the long term, the 14th Amendment helped redefine American identity. It established that citizenship was not based on race or background, but on birth or naturalization in the country. Today, its principles remain central in debates about civil rights, immigration, and equality under the law.

Interesting Fact: The 14th Amendment is the most cited amendment in Supreme Court cases, making it a cornerstone of American constitutional law.

When was the 14th Amendment ratified?

Which group gained citizenship from the 14th Amendment?

What was the main problem after the Civil War?

Why did some Southern states oppose the amendment?

What does the Equal Protection Clause do?

Why is the 14th Amendment important in court cases?

The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection. True or false?

What is 'federalism' as used in the passage?