144k views
4 votes
Why are there two due process clauses in the Constitution?

This was in my book however, I am not sure if it is the exact answer.
"The Constitution contains two due process clauses. The 5th Amendment
declares that the Federal Government cannot deprive any person of “life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law.” The 14th Amendment places
that same restriction on every one of the States—and, very importantly, on
their local governments, as well.",

User Belgther
by
5.9k points

1 Answer

0 votes
This is due to the history of slavery in the US. The 5th amendment was written at the time of the Constitution, and was therefore steeped in the slave-keeping traditions of many of the founding fathers. The 14th Amendment was one of three amendments of the mid-19th century that sought to extend rights to blacks in the aftermath of the Civil War, and it was attempting to keep southern state and local officials from oppressing the black populations of their own states.
User Yuuki
by
6.2k points