Lesson 19: Origins and Scope of Equal Protection

The Equal Protection Clause is part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. It provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws". This clause has been the foundation for many landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped American civil rights.

"No state shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution

Historical Context

The Equal Protection Clause was crucial after the American Civil War, aiming to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized groups received the same legal protections as white citizens. The clause is often linked to the broader goals of the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing quest for equality in various spheres of life.

For a deeper look at the History of the Constitution, refer to our detailed lesson.

Key Supreme Court Cases

Several key Supreme Court cases have interpreted and expanded the scope of the Equal Protection Clause:

Principles of Equal Protection

The principles of equal protection ensure that individuals are not discriminated against based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. The Supreme Court uses different levels of scrutiny to evaluate these claims:

Levels of Scrutiny

There are three levels of scrutiny used by the courts:

  • Rational Basis Review: The law is upheld if it is rationally related to a legitimate government interest.
  • Intermediate Scrutiny: The law must serve an important government objective and must be substantially related to achieving that objective.
  • Strict Scrutiny: The law must be necessary to achieve a compelling government interest and must be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

For more details, see Levels of Scrutiny.

Diagram of Scrutiny Levels

graph TD A["Equal Protection Claims"] -->|Rational Basis| B["Legitimate Interest"] A -->|Intermediate Scrutiny| C["Important Objective"] A -->|Strict Scrutiny| D["Compelling Interest"]

Applications of Equal Protection

Equal Protection has been applied in various contexts, including:

Conclusion

The Equal Protection Clause is a cornerstone of American constitutional law. It strives to ensure that all individuals receive fair treatment under the law, regardless of their background. Understanding its origins and scope is essential for navigating the complexities of constitutional law.

For a comprehensive overview, start with our Overview of Constitutional Law.

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