Which amendment provides for equal protection under the law?

The 14th Amendment is recognized for its explicit provision of equal protection under the law. Ratified in 1868, the amendment includes several clauses, but its Equal Protection Clause is particularly significant. This clause states that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws." This was a crucial development in constitutional law, as it aimed to prohibit discrimination and ensure that individuals are treated equally by the law, regardless of their race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The historical context of the 14th Amendment highlights its importance during the Reconstruction Era, aimed at addressing issues arising from the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. It provided a legal foundation for various civil rights advancements and court decisions addressing inequality.

The other amendments listed do not pertain to equal protection. The 1st Amendment focuses on freedoms related to religion, speech, assembly, and the press. The 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The 10th Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. Each of these amendments serves crucial roles in American constitutional law but does not specifically address the equal protection principle established by the 14th Amendment.