14th Amendment Dbq Essay

Our founding fathers had built the, United States of America, because of the desire for freedom and the right to be treated as individuals. However, due to recent events that have taken place, and controversies that are well known today, many Americans seem to differ on the fact that America does serve equality, and promotes correct justice. The 14th amendment was established to ensure the rights of the people, stating all citizens shall be given “Due process… and will have equal protection…” As of right now in the 21st century, the effectiveness of this amendment and the bill of rights is protecting the rights of all citizens, but is lacking. “The 14th amendment was added to extent (our) rights to the state level...and to ensure due process and equal protection to all citizens” states Document 1. The Bill of Rights also include, freedom of religion, freedom from self incrimination and due process, rights of accused persons, rights of trial by jury, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishments. Their purpose is to ensure the rights of the people, and limit the

He was sentenced to one year in jail and given a $2,000 fine. After the conviction was reversed by the Court of Criminal Appeals, the case went up to the supreme court. “In a 5-to-4 decision, the Court held that Johnson’s burning of the flag was protected expression under the First Amendment” stated oyez.org. This final decision stated that Johnson’s actions were protected by the First Amendment, falling under expressive conduct. The court stated this principle that “the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. This court case proved that the, Bill of Rights is still valid, and is protecting the people and limiting the government. But in some other controversial cases, certain amendments seem to be