What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?

The 14th Amendment is a crucial part of the United States Constitution that guarantees equal protection under the law and due process for all citizens. Ratified in 1868, it was designed to address the issues faced by former slaves following the Civil War and to ensure that all individuals, regardless of race or background, are treated equally by the law.

The equal protection clause specifically prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, thus aiming to eliminate discrimination and promote fairness in legal matters. The due process clause ensures that all individuals are afforded a fair legal process before being deprived of life, liberty, or property, thereby protecting individual rights against unjust governmental actions.

While voting rights for minorities is an important issue linked to the broader civil rights movement, it is encapsulated in amendments such as the 15th and 19th Amendments rather than the 14th. The right to bear arms is addressed in the Second Amendment, and freedom of religion is protected under the First Amendment, making those options less relevant in the context of the 14th Amendment. Thus, the core guarantees of the 14th Amendment center around equal protection and due process.