The “Equal Protection” clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, Section One, was designed to federally protect the rights of all citizens, including the former slaves of the South. Adopted by Congress in 1868, the Amendment was a response to growing efforts in the South to deprive blacks of civil rights. Providing for “equal protection of the laws” targeted Southern efforts keeping blacks from voting, as well as halting the process that ultimately led to the policy of “separate but equal.”

Combating Efforts That Denied Equal Protection

Section One of the Fourteenth Amendment declares that no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” This is followed by the Equal Protection clause. Rejecting Reconstruction efforts and goals as they related to African Americans, Southern states attempted to keep the former slaves in a servile position.

This began with the Black Codes. Although overturned by the Civil Rights Act of 1866, practices begun by the codes were continued. Further, those equal access laws passed by state Reconstruction governments led by African American representatives were not enforced.

• Define Jurisprudence

• Police Agency Federal State Local Jurisdiction

• Juristische Schulung

• Jurisdiction Divorce Maryland

  In divorce actions, mediators often are involved in custody and visitation disputes. In some jurisdictions (particularly large urban areas), courts require mediation ...

• Jurisprodence