Effect on the Bill of Rights
Defining a citizen is not the only thing that the 14th Amendment covers; it also makes sure that citizens in different states are given certain rights as well. Until the 14th Amendment was ratified, the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government. When it was added to the U.S. Constitution, the 14th Amendment made sure that the Bill of Rights applied to all state governments, as well as the federal government.
The 14th Amendment also gave citizens the right of due process. Due process means that citizens receive fair treatment throughout the court system and under the laws, both at the federal and state levels. The 14th Amendment also gives people equal protection under that law. This means that it doesn't matter what gender, race, or religion you are, you must be treated fairly by the courts.
Finally, the 14th Amendment defines the number of state representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. These numbers are based on the states' populations.
Effect on the South
After the American Civil War ended in 1865, the 14th Amendment not only granted citizenship to black slaves, but also prevented former slave owners and some members of the Southern Confederacy from receiving money or participating in the government.
For example:
- Section 3 of the 14th Amendment prevented the Confederates, who rebelled against the federal government during the Civil War, from holding public office.
- The equal rights portion of the 14th Amendment prevented states from treating blacks differently from whites, at least on paper.
- Section 4 of the 14th Amendment did not allow former slave owners to be 'paid back' for their freed slaves, even though they argued that the slaves were their property.
Lesson Summary
Let's review. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified, or approved and signed into law, in 1868 and played an important part in defining U.S. citizenship. It says that anyone born in the United States is a citizen and that all states must give citizens the same rights guaranteed by the federal government in the Bill of Rights. The 14th Amendment also says that all citizens have the right to due process and equal protection under the law in all states. It was most beneficial to former slaves after the American Civil War.
