Equal Protection: Explanation of Answers 1. The phrase "All men are created equal" is in the original U.S. Constitution drafted in 1787 and is one of its most important guiding principles. False. "All men are created equal" is from the Declaration of Independence. The word "equality" appears nowhere in the Constitution as initially adopted or in the Bill of Rights. In fact, the original Constitution tacitly acknowledges slavery by Article I, section 2, which apportions Representatives according to the number of "free persons" and three-fifths of "other persons." 2. The phrase "equal protection of the law" entered the U S. Constitution via the Fourteenth Amendment. True. By guaranteeing equal protection of the law and due process of law against actions by the states, the Fourteenth Amendment, adopted in 1868, dramatically extended the rights of all Americans. 3. Approximately half of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution passed after the Bill of Rights have to do with extending rights. True. Eight of the seventeen amendments passed after the Bill of Rights expanded rights of Americans. Most have to do with expanding the right to vote. The Thirteenth Amendment (adopted 1865) abolished slavery. The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) provided that states must not deny equal protection of the laws or deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. The Fifteenth Amendment (1870) provided that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Seventeenth Amendment (1913) provided for direct election of U.S. senators. The Nineteenth Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote. The Twenty-Third Amendment (1961) provided that residents of the District of Columbia may vote in presidential elections. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964) abolished the poll tax. The Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1967) extended the right to vote to 18-year-olds. Resources Print, videotape, and web resources on related topics The Law Day 1999 Online Conversation has more information and activities on Equal Protection as it relates to high school sports. Talking points and speech ideas We also have lessons: 3 main lessons for high school 2 main lessons for grades 7-9 3 main lessons for grades 4-6 2 main lessons for grades k-3 Quizzes Home | Back to Equal Protection Quiz