The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1868, addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. It was primarily designed to ensure that former slaves, following the Civil War, would be granted full citizenship and protection against discrimination. The amendment contains several important clauses, including the Equal Protection Clause, which prohibits states from denying any person equal protection of the laws. It also includes the Due Process Clause, ensuring that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.