What is the primary purpose of the 14th Amendment?

What is the primary purpose of the 14th Amendment?

• A. To guarantee the right to vote
• B. To provide equal protection under the law
• C. To establish the freedom of speech
• D. To outlaw discrimination based on gender

Answer: (B)

The primary purpose of the 14th Amendment is to provide equal protection under the law. Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment was a crucial part of the Reconstruction Era that aimed to secure the rights of former slaves and ensure they were treated equally under state laws. The Equal Protection Clause, which is part of this amendment, prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This clause has been the foundation for many landmark Supreme Court decisions related to civil rights, helping to dismantle segregation and fight discrimination in various forms. In contrast, while ensuring voting rights and prohibiting discrimination are important issues addressed in different contexts, they are not the primary focus of the 14th Amendment. The right to vote is addressed in amendments such as the 15th and 19th, and freedom of speech is primarily protected by the First Amendment. Additionally, gender discrimination is tackled through various laws and Supreme Court cases, but this is not the main function of the 14th Amendment.

The primary purpose of the 14th Amendment is to provide equal protection under the law. Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment was a crucial part of the Reconstruction Era that aimed to secure the rights of former slaves and ensure they were treated equally under state laws. The Equal Protection Clause, which is part of this amendment, prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This clause has been the foundation for many landmark Supreme Court decisions related to civil rights, helping to dismantle segregation and fight discrimination in various forms.

In contrast, while ensuring voting rights and prohibiting discrimination are important issues addressed in different contexts, they are not the primary focus of the 14th Amendment. The right to vote is addressed in amendments such as the 15th and 19th, and freedom of speech is primarily protected by the First Amendment. Additionally, gender discrimination is tackled through various laws and Supreme Court cases, but this is not the main function of the 14th Amendment.