What was a key outcome of the Fourteenth Amendment?

• A. It protected the rights of former slaves
• B. It granted the right to vote
• C. It established income tax
• D. It prohibited alcohol

Answer: (A)

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, was primarily designed to address issues related to the aftermath of the Civil War and the status of former slaves. One of its key outcomes was the guarantee of equal protection under the law for all individuals, which directly contributed to protecting the rights of former slaves. The amendment aimed to ensure that states could not deny anyone the equal protection of the laws, thus laying the foundation for civil rights advancements in the United States.

While the amendment does not explicitly mention the right to vote, its implications laid the groundwork for future amendments that would address voting rights. The establishment of income tax and prohibition of alcohol are not related to the protections and rights afforded by the Fourteenth Amendment. Therefore, the primary purpose and impact of this amendment were focused on citizenship and the civil rights of individuals, particularly those who had been enslaved, making the protection of the rights of former slaves a key outcome of the Fourteenth Amendment.