14-C7

Fourteenth Amendment!

By: Joanna L., Dominic G., and Jack S.
This is in the first section of the 14th Amendment.
This is in the first section of the 14th Amendment.


Research Focus Questions:

1. What issues prompted the creation of your amendment? J.L.

A lot of former, recently-freed slaves were denied their natural rights. So, the 14th Amendment was created to give African Americans the American citizenship and the privileges they certainly deserved. Under the 14th Amendment, all citizens had "equal protection of the laws," which came up again during a case called, "Plessy vs Ferguson." In that case, colored people were not getting their "equal protection of the laws" and were protesting. Also, this amendment popped up in the "Brown vs the Board of Education" case, which was the same thing repeated.
Source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/14th-amendment-adopted

2. What impact did your amendment have on society at that time? J.L.

The impact that the 14th Amendment had on society at that time was big. African Americans who were born in America could become American citizens and have American citizen rights. It was great, because it helped the former slaves of the South try to live a new life, much different from the slave life that they were in before. Because of the words "all persons born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States and of the state in which they reside," African Americans were granted American citizenship.

This is President Andrew Johnson.
This is President Andrew Johnson.

Question #1: D.G.
Who came up with the idea of this amendment?
President Andrew Johnson created the 14th amendment.

Question #2: D.G.
When was this amendment passed?
This amendment was passed on July 13, 1868.

Question #3: J.S.
When was this amendment ratified?
This amendment was ratified on July 9th 1868.

Question #4: J.L.

Where was this Amendment ratified?
This Amendment was ratified in 28 states out of the 37 states. After it's ratification was completed, the other 9 states ratified it. The first state to ratify this Amendment was Connecticut. For this Amendment to be ratified and made an actual Amendment, 28 states out of 37 had to ratify it in their own, individual states.
Source:
http://www.14thamendment.us/amendment/14th_amendment.html


Question #5: J.S.
What does the 14th amendment protect?
This amendment protects citizen rights and equal protection of laws.

Question #6: D.G.
Which states ratified this amendment?
Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Michigan, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Delaware, Tennessee, Hawaii, Alaska, Maine, West Virginia, Ohio, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Wisconsin, Idaho, California, Oregon, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa all ratified this amendment.

Question #7: D.G.
Which states didn't ratify this amendment?
Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma, Illinois, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, and Louisiana did not ratify this amendment.

Question #8: J.L.

What were the dates when each state ratified the Amendment?
1. Connecticut: June 25, 1866
2. New Hampshire: July 6, 1866
3. Tennessee: July 19, 1866
4. New Jersey: September 11, 1866
5. Oregon: September 19, 1866
People usually protest with the 14th Amendment because it gives everyone "equal protection of the law."
People usually protest with the 14th Amendment because it gives everyone "equal protection of the law."

6. Vermont: October 30, 1866
8. New York: January 10, 1867
7.Ohio: January 4, 1867
9. Kansas: January 11, 1867
10. Illinois: January 15, 1867
11. West Virginia: January 16, 1867
12. Michigan: January 16, 1867
13. Minnesota: January 16, 1867
14. Maine: January 19, 1867
15. Nevada: January 22, 1867
16. Indiana: January 23, 1867
17. Missouri: January 25, 1867
18. Rhode Island: February 7, 1867
19. Wisconsin: February 7, 1867
20. Pennsylvania: February 12, 1867
21. Massachusetts: March 20, 1867
22. Nebraska: June 15, 1867
23. Iowa: March 16, 1868
24. Arkansas: April 6, 1868
25. Florida: June 9, 1868
26. North Carolina: July 4, 1868
27. Louisiana: July 9, 1868
28. South Carolina: July 9, 1868
Source:
http://www.14thamendment.us/amendment/14th_amendment.html

Question #9: J.L.

Who were the first 10 states to ratify this Amendment?
First was Connecticut, then New Hampshire. After that was Tennessee and New Jersey. Following them were Oregon, Vermont, and Ohio. Finally, New York and Kansas ratified this Amendment, and Illinois was tenth.
Source:
http://www.14thamendment.us/amendment/14th_amendment.html

Question #10 D.G.
Why was this amendment created?
This amendment was created to grant citizenship to all people born in the U.S. It forbids states to deny a person natural rights.

Question #11 D.G.
What groups of people was this amendment mainly directed to?
This amendment mainly helps out former slaves freed from the civil war. Women were able to use this amendment to vote.


For Fun Facts about the 14th Amendment, go to these websites:
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/government/14thamendment.htm
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/6-facts-about-the-14th-amendment-085839