The Fourteenth Amendment - Essay Example

The Fourteenth Amendment College The Fourteenth Amendment The fourteenth amendment was one of the most important constitutional amendments in the United States. The bill sought to eliminate the criminal black codes established by individual states. Notably, the fourteenth amendment endeavored to recognize the rights of emancipated slaves. In many states, slavery was a common factor before 1866. For this reason, the fourteenth amendment sought to introduce a new form of protection of the fundamental rights of former slaves.

The whites, specifically in the southern states relied on unfair criminal proceedings to intimidate blacks. For this reason, there were increasing inequalities in criminal proceedings between whites and blacks. The constitution had stated that one could only enjoy the fundamental rights if they belong to a particular state (Rife & Smith, 2006). The former slaves were not recognized as citizens of any state. There was a salient need for amending the constitution so that it could allow African-Americans gain citizenships in different states.

Prior to the amendment, southern states practiced high levels of discrimination denying African-Americans an opportunity to enjoy their fundamental rights because of their race. The first section of the fourteenth amendment highlighted that states would no longer discriminate individuals based on race or ethnicity. The fourteenth amendment had positive changes in the United States because it allowed African Americans to be recognized as citizens through either birth or naturalization. Former slaves had the opportunity to become officially citizens of different states and be in a position to enjoy fundamental rights.

Additionally, the fourteenth amendment served to nationalize the federal bill of rights by compelling each state to regard it highly. The ratification of the fourteenth amendment bill served as a milestone in the American history as the country would finally allow former slaves to be treated equally as the whites (p. 67). However, the amendment did not completely protect the rights of African Americans. In some states, African Americans were still viewed as lesser people. Reference Rife, D. M.

, & Smith, B. (2006). Emancipation proclamation and the 13th, 14th & 15th Amendments. Carthage, IL: Teaching & Learning Co.