14th amendment simplified

 What is 14th amendment simplified to ?

The 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens, prohibits states from denying any person due process of law, and also includes the citizenship clause which defines that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens.

It was added to the Constitution in the aftermath of the Civil War in order to extend legal protections to newly freed slaves and to ensure that all citizens were treated equally under the law.

The 14th Amendment has several key provisions, but it can be simplified as a guarantee of equal protection under the law for all citizens. The amendment states that "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

This amendment has been interpreted to mean that states cannot discriminate against any individual or group based on their race, sex, religion, or other protected characteristic. It also prohibits states from denying any person due process of law, which includes the right to a fair trial, and the right to legal representation.

The 14th amendment also includes a clause that allows the U.S Congress to enforce it by appropriate legislation. This clause has been used to pass many important civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Furthermore, the 14th amendment also includes the citizenship clause which states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”