Question

34 this excerpt is from an 1868 amendment to the u.s. constitution.
no state shall make or enforce any law which shall violate
the privileges or immunities of citizens . . . nor . . . deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
—fourteenth amendment to the u.s. constitution
based on the excerpt and your knowledge of u.s. history, how did the
application of this amendment support the civil rights movement?
a its improper interpretation by courts of law limited the ability of
citizens to sue for damages.
b it established a council of citizens with veto power over federal
laws deemed discriminatory.
c its inconsistent enforcement led to the passage of additional laws
to protect the liberties of citizens.
d it provided a set of guidelines for citizens to ask the courts to
review federal laws deemed biased.

Explanation:

• Option A: The question is about how the amendment supported the Civil Rights Movement. An improper interpretation limiting citizens' ability to sue for damages would not support the movement, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The Fourteenth Amendment did not establish a council of citizens with veto power over federal laws. This is not a feature of the amendment, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: Inconsistent enforcement of the Fourteenth Amendment (e.g., allowing discriminatory state laws) led to the need for additional civil rights laws (like the Civil Rights Act of 1964) to protect citizens' liberties, which supported the Civil Rights Movement. This makes C a valid explanation.
• Option D: The Fourteenth Amendment is about state laws, not primarily about reviewing federal laws. Also, the idea of "guidelines for citizens to ask courts to review federal laws" is not the main way it supported the Civil Rights Movement, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Its inconsistent enforcement led to the passage of additional laws to protect the liberties of citizens.