Question

Assess which of the following amendments has had the greatest impact on increasing civil
Rights, a. 27 b. 12 c. 21 d. 14

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
Among the amendments listed, the **14th Amendment** has had the greatest impact on increasing civil rights in the United States. Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved individuals, and provided equal protection under the laws.

Key provisions of the 14th Amendment have been essential in numerous landmark Supreme Court cases that addressed issues of civil rights, including Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, and Roe v. Wade (1973), which recognized rights related to privacy. The Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment have been pivotal in the expansion of civil rights and liberties.

In contrast, the other amendments listed have had less direct impact on civil rights:

- **27th Amendment** (1992): Deals with congressional pay changes and does not address civil rights.
- **12th Amendment** (1804): Relates to the election of the President and Vice President.
- **21st Amendment** (1933): Repealed Prohibition and does not pertain directly to civil rights.

Therefore, the 14th Amendment stands out as the most significant in the context of civil rights.

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