What did the 14th Amendment address?

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, is primarily known for addressing civil rights and citizenship. It was a significant milestone in American constitutional law, particularly in the context of post-Civil War America. The amendment established that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens, which was a critical step in rectifying the legal status of formerly enslaved individuals.

Moreover, the 14th Amendment includes the Equal Protection Clause, which mandates that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This clause has been foundational in numerous landmark Supreme Court cases that have sought to expand civil rights and prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics.

In contrast, while the abolition of slavery is addressed in the 13th Amendment, voting rights for women were later affirmed by the 19th Amendment in 1920, and the protection of property rights is addressed in various other amendments, including the Fifth Amendment. Thus, the focus of the 14th Amendment is distinctly centered on civil rights and the definition of citizenship.