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This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. By officially outlawing slavery, it fundamentally changed the Constitution and laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements. This event marks a pivotal moment in America's journey towards equality.

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The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It provided equal protection under the laws, significantly altering the Constitution to protect the rights of all citizens. This amendment is foundational for many Supreme Court decisions impacting civil rights.

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Ratification of the 15th Amendment prohibited governments from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This was a crucial step towards equality, although it would take nearly a century for this promise to be fully realized.

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This Supreme Court case declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court. This decision exacerbated national tensions over slavery, and its overturning was a necessary step for advancing civil rights.

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This landmark Supreme Court decision upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine. It legitimized state laws re-establishing racial segregation, leading to the proliferation of Jim Crow laws. This case was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

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Jim Crow Laws: (Late 19th and early 20th centuries)

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Jim Crow Laws: (Late 19th and early 20th centuries)

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The Jim Crow Laws, implemented in the late 19th and early 20th centuries across the Southern United States, were a series of state and local laws that enforced racial segregation. These laws perpetuated racial discrimination and inequality by mandating the separation of white and black Americans in public facilities, transportation, schools, and other areas of daily life. The Jim Crow Laws complemented de jure segregation, which was the legally enforced separation of races, by institutionalizing racial discrimination even where it was not explicitly required by law. This system of segregation and discrimination persisted for decades, shaping the social, economic, and political landscape of the United States.

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De jure segregation (Late 19th and mid-20th centuries)

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De jure segregation (Late 19th and mid-20th centuries)

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De jure segregation, prevalent from the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries, refers to the legal enforcement of racial segregation. This form of segregation was mandated by law and affected various aspects of life, including education, housing, transportation, and public facilities. By legally requiring the separation of races, de jure segregation institutionalized racial discrimination and limited the opportunities available to African Americans and other minority groups. It stands in contrast to de facto segregation, which occurs without legal mandate and is often the result of social, economic, or other factors. The impact of de jure segregation was profound, shaping communities and institutions and contributing to the struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States.

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The 19th Amendment secured the right to vote for women, marking a significant expansion of civil rights. This amendment not only changed the Constitution by ensuring gender equality in voting but also paved the way for further initiatives in women's rights.

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Issued by President Harry S. Truman, this order abolished racial discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces and led to the end of segregation in the military services. This action signaled a significant move towards civil rights in American society and influenced further desegregation efforts.

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This Supreme Court decision declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. Overturning Plessy v. Ferguson, it struck a blow against racial segregation and was a cornerstone for the civil rights movement.

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December 1, 1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott

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December 1, 1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott

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Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person sparked this pivotal 381-day boycott of Montgomery buses. It successfully challenged racial segregation in public transport and significantly propelled the civil rights movement forward, with Martin Luther King Jr. emerging as a prominent leader.

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Integration of Little Rock Central High School: 1957

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Integration of Little Rock Central High School: 1957

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This historic event followed the forced integration of nine African American students, known as the 'Little Rock Nine', into an all-white high school. It underscored the federal government's role in enforcing school desegregation and highlighted ongoing resistance to racial equality.

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The brutal lynching of 14-year-old African American Emmett Till in Mississippi shocked the nation and galvanized the emerging civil rights movement. His murder and the subsequent acquittal of his killers brought nationwide attention to the racial violence and injustice prevalent in the South.

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This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, workplaces, and facilities that served the general public. This act was a major achievement in the struggle for civil rights.

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August 6, 1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

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August 6, 1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

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This act eliminated various devices, such as literacy tests, that were used to prevent African Americans from voting. It also provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas where tests had been used. A significant milestone, it greatly increased the number of African American voters in the U.S.

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April 11, 1968: Civil Rights Act of 1968

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April 11, 1968: Civil Rights Act of 1968

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Also known as the Fair Housing Act, this legislation provided equal housing opportunities regardless of race, religion, or national origin and made it a federal crime to violate the rights of others because of their race, color, religion, or national origin. It built on previous acts to further reduce discrimination.

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Affirmative Action, introduced in the early 1960s, is a policy that actively promotes the inclusion of historically marginalized groups, such as racial minorities and women, in educational and employment opportunities. It seeks to address the longstanding effects of discrimination by providing preferential treatment or opportunities to these groups. The policy is intended to counteract historical patterns of exclusion and promote diversity in institutions and workplaces. Affirmative Action is closely tied to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is a landmark piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and aims to ensure equal opportunity for all individuals. Together, these measures represent significant steps towards achieving greater equity and inclusivity in society.

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This controversial Supreme Court decision ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. It marked a significant turning point in women's rights and privacy laws.

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This Supreme Court decision upheld affirmative action, allowing race to be one of several factors in college admission policy but ruled that specific racial quotas were unconstitutional. This case highlights the ongoing debate over the role of race in higher education admissions.

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De Facto Segregation: (Late 19th and mid-20th centuries)

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De Facto Segregation: (Late 19th and mid-20th centuries)

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De facto segregation, an ongoing issue that reached its peak in the mid-20th century, refers to the segregation that exists in practice rather than by legal mandate, often as a result of social and economic factors such as residential patterns. This type of segregation, while not enforced by law, had a profound impact on communities and schools, leading to disparities in access to resources and opportunities based on race. De facto segregation was perpetuated by discriminatory practices such as redlining, which limited where African Americans and other minority groups could live, and unequal access to quality education and employment opportunities. Despite not being legally mandated, de facto segregation contributed to significant social, economic, and educational inequalities. It is closely related to de jure segregation, which refers to segregation that is explicitly enforced by law, and together these concepts underscore the complex and persistent nature of racial segregation in American society.