Amendments to the U.S. Constitution help clarify everything from American citizens’ rights to limiting how many terms a person can serve as President.
One of the most litigated amendments to the Constitution is the 14th Amendment. But what is the 14th Amendment, exactly? The 14th Amendment clarifies issues around U.S. citizenship—specifically, who can be a U.S. citizen, additional rights of citizenship, and how citizenship intersects with U.S. law.
In this article, we’ll help you understand the ins and outs of this important Constitutional Amendment, including:
- Answering the question, “What Is the 14th Amendment?”
- Explaining the 14th Amendment in simple terms
- Giving you a historical overview of the ratification process for the 14th Amendment
- Breaking down each section of the 14th Amendment, explained in detail
- Listing out key terms you need to know
Okay, let’s dive in!


