What does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee?

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, primarily addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. It ensures that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are considered citizens and guarantees them the right to equal protection and due process. This means that the government cannot deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, which has been a fundamental principle in cases related to civil rights and discrimination.

The amendment also plays a crucial role in extending the protections of the Bill of Rights to the states through the doctrine of selective incorporation. By establishing both due process and equal protection, the Fourteenth Amendment has been pivotal in various landmark Supreme Court cases, shaping the landscape of civil rights in America.

While the other options address important rights, none specifically pertain to the guarantees provided by the Fourteenth Amendment. The right to vote for women is secured by the Nineteenth Amendment, protection against unlawful searches is provided by the Fourth Amendment, and the right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment.