What significant change did the Fourteenth Amendment introduce related to civil rights?

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, fundamentally transformed the landscape of civil rights in the United States by establishing the principle of equal protection under the law. This amendment was a key component of the Reconstruction Amendments and aimed to address issues of citizenship and the rights of formerly enslaved individuals.

The equal protection clause specifically prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This provision laid the groundwork for numerous landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped civil rights and liberties, ensuring that individuals cannot be discriminated against based on race, gender, or other characteristics. The amendment thus serves as a critical foundation for advancing civil rights and promoting equality throughout American legal and social frameworks.

Other options, while they touch upon important aspects of civil rights or governance, do not accurately represent the key change brought about by the Fourteenth Amendment. For example, it did not directly expand voting rights to all citizens, establish federalism, or repeal discriminatory laws, but rather it provided a legal framework that could be used to challenge such injustices.