Final answer:
The 14th Amendment includes three main provisions: the Citizenship Clause establishing a clear definition of citizenship, the Due Process Clause extending legal protections to the state level, and the Equal Protection Clause to prevent state discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three Provisions of the 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment is a pivotal part of United States history that cemented various legal protections for citizens. The three main provisions are:
- Citizenship Clause: "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." This clause provides a clear definition of national citizenship, effectively overturning previous limitations on citizenship such as those from the Dred Scott decision.
- Due Process Clause: It extends the requirement of the due process of law, which was previously applicable only at the federal level through the Fifth Amendment, to the states as well. This means that neither the federal nor state governments can deny individuals life, liberty, or property without following fair and established legal procedures.
- Equal Protection Clause: It mandates that no state can "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." This clause aims to prevent states from discriminating against individuals or groups and was instrumental in affirming the protections of citizenship for newly freed slaves following the Civil War.
Together, these amendments seek to secure the rights of all citizens in the face of both federal and state power, and have had far-reaching consequences in terms of civil rights and liberties within the United States.