Which amendment addresses equal protection under the law?

The 14th Amendment is pivotal in addressing equal protection under the law. Ratified in 1868, this amendment specifically contains a clause that mandates that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This provision has been fundamental in numerous landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped civil rights and liberties in the United States. It establishes the principle that all individuals, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, are entitled to the same legal protections and should be treated equally by the law. The equal protection clause has been instrumental in fighting against discrimination and ensuring that laws are applied fairly to everyone.

The other amendments listed do not contain this specific focus on equality and protections under the law. The 1st Amendment focuses on freedoms such as speech and religion, the 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the 8th Amendment addresses cruel and unusual punishment. Each of these amendments serves important functions in the realm of rights, but none specifically articulates the requirement for equal protection that is central to the 14th Amendment.