Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which of the following rights was granted to blacks by the 14th Amendment?

1. Voting rights

2. Citizenship

3. Property ownership

4. Education access

The correct answer is: Citizenship

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, was primarily focused on defining citizenship and ensuring that all individuals born or naturalized in the United States were considered citizens, regardless of their race or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was a significant milestone in granting civil rights, as it aimed to provide equal protection under the law and due process to all citizens, effectively overturning the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, which had denied citizenship to African Americans. While the amendment laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements, it did not explicitly grant voting rights, nor did it specifically address property ownership or access to education for African Americans. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 would later address voting rights directly, while discussions around property ownership and education often occurred in different legal contexts. Thus, the most accurate answer that reflects the intention and impact of the 14th Amendment is the granting of citizenship.