What did the 14th Amendment guarantee?

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, is a significant constitutional provision that specifically guarantees equal protection under the law. This amendment was designed to address issues related to citizenship and the rights of newly freed slaves after the Civil War.

The Equal Protection Clause within the 14th Amendment asserts that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This has been a foundational element in numerous landmark Supreme Court cases, addressing discrimination and civil rights, and has laid the groundwork for advancing legal arguments for equality across various groups over the years.

While the amendment has had far-reaching implications for voting rights and the rights of women and minorities, the core guarantee it provides is the principle of equal protection, making it a critical tool in the fight against discrimination in various contexts, including race, gender, and more.