Civil Rights

In the 13^th amendment, it was declared that slavery and involuntary servitude are unconstitutional, and all slaves were freed from bondage with Private Citizens. However, these freed slaves didn’t have any political status or rights. Given this, the Federal Government passed the 14^th amendment and granted them Civil Rights as Federal Citizens. These citizens owe allegiance to the Federal Government in return.

These particular civil rights can only be leveraged to force the Federal Government or one of its agencies to fulfill a promise, which is the promise of protection. This is distinct from Common Law civil rights which is focused on actual Rights.

Civil Rights Definition: Black’s Law Dictionary, Page 1487

Rights capable of being enforced or redressed in a civil action. Also a term applied to certain rights secured to citizens of the United States by the thirteenth and fourteenth amendments to the constitution, and by various acts of congress made in pursuance thereof. State of Iowa v. Railroad Co., C.C.Iowa, 37 F. 498, 3 L.R.A. 554; State v. Powers, 51 N.J.L. 432, 17 A. 969.