Which constitutional amendments underpin the legal framework for civil rights, particularly equal protection and voting rights?

• A. 13th and 19th
• B. 1st and 4th
• C. 14th and 15th
• D. 18th and 21st

Answer: (C)

Equal protection under the law and the protection of voting rights are central goals of civil rights within the Constitution. The 14th Amendment provides an equal protection clause and due process, which has been used to apply constitutional guarantees to the states and to strike down discriminatory state laws. This makes it a foundational tool for challenging racial segregation and unequal treatment.

The 15th Amendment specifically bars denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, giving a constitutional basis for protecting and expanding voting rights. Together, these amendments give the legal framework for civil rights challenges, with later enforcement and voting-rights legislation building on their guarantees. Other options address different issues—like abolition, women’s suffrage, or general freedoms—not the particular pairing of equal protection and voting rights.